Is obesity the 'norm' for people in Ireland?

A study by the Lancet and the World Health Organisation has found that nearly 60% of adults in Ireland are overweight or obese. 

By comparison, the figure is one in eight, 12.5%, globally. 

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, HSE National Lead for Obesity Dr Donal O’Shea said being overweight is increasingly the “norm” in wealthy countries. 

“Malnutrition globally is now less of a threat than obesity and being overweight,” he said. 

“[The study] shows the trend in every country is the same. 

“They’re all increasing in terms of overweight and obesity and thinness - as they refer to it in the study - is on the decline.” 

One of the key reasons for the change, Dr O’Shea believes, is the modern diet in the western world.

“I think our relationship with food is currently defined by the food and drinks industry,” he said. 

“They’re pushing food-like products at us that aren’t actually food… A lot of the ultra-processed materials, they contain no vitamins and no minerals. 

“It’s high fat, high salt, high sugar, so you get a bit of an energy burst from the calories but actually it’s nutritionally empty.”

A collection of biscuits, crisps, chocolate bars and carbonated drinks.

Dr O’Shea has previously described waiting list times for obesity treatment as “ridiculous” and “unacceptable”. 

Despite this, he feels the next few years will be transformative in terms of the healthcare patients receive. 

“We now have emerging treatments for obesity, I think the field will change over the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. 

“There will be a reason to screen people and there will be a reason to intervene earlier. 

“You can lose 5% of your current weight with lifestyle change; ‘eat less, move more’ is the prevention piece to stop yourself developing obesity if your weight is just a little overweight. 

“But by the time you have established obesity with complications, 5% is no good and your treatment is not ‘eat less and move’.” 

For those who are concerned about their weight, a GP can refer to the Best Health programme which is run by HSE dieticians.

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Main image: A woman on weighing scales.