Dr Martin Daly TD has welcomed the commitment to a new obesity-related policy and action plan in a future Programme for Government, emphasising the need for an updated, evidence-based approach to tackling obesity in Ireland.
As a medical professional, new TD, and advocate for public health, Dr Daly says he supports aligning national efforts with the recent recommendations from the Lancet Commission on obesity.
The Lancet Commission, involving 58 global experts, has called for a shift in how obesity is diagnosed and treated, recommending a new classification – clinical obesity, where organ function is impaired, and pre-clinical obesity, where individuals are at risk but still functioning normally. The report also highlights the limitations of Body Mass Index as a diagnostic tool, advocating for a more comprehensive approach.
Dr Daly stated, “The findings of the Lancet Commission must inform our national obesity strategy. Moving from a focus on weight loss to overall health improvement is crucial to delivering better outcomes for individuals”.
With an estimated 1.25 million people – 24% of the Irish population – living with obesity, the current national strategy, ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 to 2025’, has introduced initiatives such as the sugar-sweetened drinks tax and healthy eating guidelines. However, Dr Daly believes the next phase must go further in addressing obesity as a complex health issue.
He says that a tailored, patient-centred approach is needed, focusing on prevention and early intervention while ensuring access to appropriate treatments. Dr Daly emphasised that addressing obesity requires a collaborative effort between government, healthcare professionals and the public to create an environment that supports healthier lifestyles.
Dr Daly reaffirmed his commitment to working with policymakers and health professionals to ensure the future obesity plan delivers meaningful and effective outcomes for individuals and communities across Ireland.
