for Ireland

A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025
7
acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
The levels of overweight and obesity in Ireland have been
increasing despite the fact that they are preventable.
Childhood obesity and emerging inequalities are now
recognised as key issues that need to be addressed. In
drafting this Obesity Policy and Action Plan, the Department
of Health consulted widely with key stakeholders and also
with children and young people. These consultations were
carefully considered and reflected in the final Policy. In
particular I would like to thank the Citizen Participation
Unit, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, University
College Cork and the children and younger people for their
participation.
I am very grateful to the hardworking and enthusiastic
Steering Group, safefood and the Institute of Public Health
who advised the Department on the Policy. Our work also
benefited from international experience such as that of the
McKinsey Global Institute and consultation with healthcare
professionals organised through the Royal College of
Physicians of Ireland.
These consultations and the lessons from the international
experience highlighted the need for actions across a range
to sectors to make the healthy choice the easy choice for
children and adults. It is our hope that A Healthy Weight for
Ireland will reverse recent obesity trends and set us on a
path where healthy weight becomes the norm.
Dr John Devlin
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Chair, National Obesity Policy Steering Group