Obesity

Obesity is a complex disease driven by a range of social, economic and environmental factors.

Why is obesity a public health issue?

Every year 4 million people die as a result of obesity, according to the World Health Organization global burden of disease.

Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, certain types of cancer, and can impact on quality of life.

Rates of obesity have almost tripled across the globe since 1975, partly due to changes in environmental factors, such as, increased access to high-calorie foods and decreased physical activity levels.

Policies that increase the accessibility, affordability, and availability of healthy food, support physical activity, and improve the environment in which we are born, grow, work, play and age are needed to support population health.

Support Services

If you are concerned about how your weight may be impacting on your health, contact your doctor for advice.

The following websites also provide information and support:

Ireland: The Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity provides or directs people to education, support and raises awareness for people living with overweight or obesity across Ireland.
Northern Ireland: The Public Health Agency has developed a Choose to Live Better website to provide information on making healthier choices.

Key Facts: Obesity

Obesity rates are rising in Europe

Europe: Almost 6 in 10 adults and 1 in 3 children are living with overweight or obesity in the WHO European Region (2022)

All-island: 1 in 4 children across the island of Ireland are living with overweight or obesity

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

The following strategy seeks to reduce obesity rates in Ireland.

A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

The following strategy seeks to reduce obesity rates in Northern Ireland.

'Fitter Future for All' Framework

Recent work on obesity

Recent examples of our work on obesity include collaborating on a report exploring how a ‘Whole Systems Approach’ could be used in obesity prevention in Northern Ireland. We also conducted a review of systematic reviews to examine the evidence of effectiveness for a range of policy options for obesity prevention. These two pieces of work were presented at the 30th European Congress on Obesity, which took place in Dublin in May 2023.

IPH is a member of the All-island Obesity Action Forum, which recently published a position statement on obesity stigma.

In Northern Ireland, the Institute is a member of Regional Obesity Prevention Implementation Group (ROPIG) and the current Obesity Prevention Strategy Project Board chaired by the Department of Health. In Ireland, IPH also sits on the Healthy Weight for Children National Oversight Group.