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30 May 2012

Association for the Study of Obesity in Ireland (ASOI) calls for abstracts for its inaugural conference

The ASOI invites submissions for poster presentations for its inaugural conference to be held in Dublin on the 6th September 2012. Abstracts are welcome from clinicians, practitioners, academics, researchers, and students working in all fields of obesity and who wish to share their learning. ASOI are keen to receive submissions on both quantitative and qualitative research covering all spectra of obesity under the following categories A prize will be awarded for the best poster.

Please click here for more details

29 May 2012

Last call to have your say on the BAI General and Children’s Commercial Communications Code

The BAI launched a public consultation regarding the Draft BAI General and Children’s Commercial Communications Code on Friday 30th March 2012.

The consultation is about the approach to be taken to the regulation of commercial communications for products and services that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS).

The second stage of consultation and a consultation document has been published; public consultation is open until Thursday 31st May 2012. Responses should be sent to: sowens@bai.ie

For more information, please click here

 

15 May 2012

Oxford study urges introduction of a “fat tax” on food and drinks accompanied by subsides for fruit and vegetables

According to research conducted by the Department of Public Health at Oxford University “fat taxes” would have to increase the price of food and drinks by 20% in order to reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases. The research, led by Dr. Oliver Mytton and Dr. Mike Rainer examined international evidence of “fat tax” legislation. The study also recommends introducing subsides on fruit and vegetables to coincide with the introduction of “fat taxes” in order to impact significantly on dietary habits. To read more on this study and the “fat tax” debate click here.

 

 

15 May 2012

Food labelling consultation launched in the UK

Health Ministers in the United Kingdom have called for all food manufacturers and retailers to implement the same food labelling system to facilitate a uniformed approach to labelling food. It is envisaged that all food highlight through their labels how much fat, salt, sugar and calories are in a product. To read the full consultation, please click here.

11 May 2012

Proposed Ban on Cheese Adverts Sparks Controversy

Members of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, National Resources and Agriculture are strongly opposed to the proposed ban on all cheese adverts, labelling the idea “absolutely crazy.” The National Dairy Council have also voiced their objections, criticising the model used by Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to categorize foods as healthy or less healthy. There is also concern that the ban will impact on children’s calcium intake which are already insufficient in a large number of children. To read more on this debate click here

 

 

8 May 2012

Morbid Obesity could affect 11% of Americans by 2030

A new forecast on America's obesity crisis warns that 42% of Americans may end up obese by 2030, and 11% could be severely obese, adding billions of dollars to health care costs. The study, published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, estimates a 33% increase in obesity prevalence and a 130% increase in severe obesity prevalence over the next 2 decades. Anti-obesity efforts such as recreational facilities, better urban design, work site health promotion, new drugs and technologies could help slow obesity growth.

 Click here for further information.

 

3 May 2012

The innovative HSE “Get Ireland Active” website wins two excellence awards!

We are delighted to congratulate the Get Ireland Active website team for winning two awards at the recent Irish eGovernment Awards in the “Education” and “Central Government” categories. In addition it was short-listed for the “Innovation” category. The website is an excellent resource and the Obesity Hub is proud to be associated with it. To access the website click here

 

2 May 2012

Breastfeeding may prevent against childhood obesity

Latest findings from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study have found that babies breastfed for 3-6 months are 38% less likely to be obese at nine years old than exclusively formula fed babies. This figure increased to 51% for babies who were breastfed for over 6 months. The study is being conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). To read more click here

 

 

1 May 2012

Ireland’s Health Minister calls for calories to be added to menus

James Reilly has called for calories to be put on restaurant menus. He believes that this is a vital step in tackling the current obesity epidemic. But at an estimated cost of over €100 million (almost €5,000 per restaurant), the proposal has not been received well by the restaurant industry due to the high costs involved at a time when many restaurants are already struggling. Others argue that this step will have little impact on obesity levels. To read more on this debate click here

25 April 2012

Moving the Nation – Event hopes to tackle the rising trends in obesity

The “Moving the Nation” conference will be held tomorrow in Craigavon to highlight the importance of physical activity and the role of the fitness industry in tackling the obesity epidemic. Ahead of this conference Minister Poots warned of an “obesity time bomb” with 60% of adults in Northern Ireland now overweight or obese.

To read more on this event and the proposed 10 year obesity framework click here

 

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The Obesity Hub supports the development and implementation of obesity prevention and management strategies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

If you would like to know more about the Obesity Hub, please email the Hub's Manager.

The news and journal articles accessible on the Obesity Hub website have been compiled from various sources that are not controlled by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH). IPH is therefore not responsible for the content of external websites and the inclusion of a link to an external website from the Obesity Hub should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website.

Updated: 29 February 2012