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03/01/2013
NI Obesity Campaign Launched
A new campaign to tackle obesity in Northern Ireland is being launched on 3 January by the Public Health Agency (PHA).
The campaign will take the form of two main approaches. Firstly, it will focus on helping people to identify if they are at risk of bad health by being overweight or obese, and secondly, offering advice on how to lose weight.
The PHA has launched a website – www.choosetolivebetter.com to support the campaign.
Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health, PHA explained: "More than one in two adults in Northern Ireland are now overweight or obese, but many people don’t even realise that they fall into this category and are putting their health at risk. The focus of the PHA is to promote health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities in health, and that is why we are mounting this major new initiative. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
"Small changes are easier to make and can add up to make a big difference. For example, having smaller portions, swapping to healthier options, saying 'no thanks' to seconds or the children’s leftovers, and going for a walk instead of watching TV. Every small step will help people keep a healthy weight and improve their health."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "Obesity is a modern lifestyle epidemic that is threatening our health and wellbeing, and tackling the problem is one of the biggest public health challenges we face in Northern Ireland.
"However, there are no quick fixes and, in order to be effective, the campaign must be taken forward alongside the other recommendations in A Fitter Future for All. Every small step in the right direction will have long-term benefits in improving health and wellbeing."
61% of adults in Northern Ireland are overweight or obese, according to PHA.
The Northern Ireland Health Survey shows 43% of those assessed as overweight felt their weight was about right or too light.
The campaign will run until the end of March
(IT/GK)
The campaign will take the form of two main approaches. Firstly, it will focus on helping people to identify if they are at risk of bad health by being overweight or obese, and secondly, offering advice on how to lose weight.
The PHA has launched a website – www.choosetolivebetter.com to support the campaign.
Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health, PHA explained: "More than one in two adults in Northern Ireland are now overweight or obese, but many people don’t even realise that they fall into this category and are putting their health at risk. The focus of the PHA is to promote health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities in health, and that is why we are mounting this major new initiative. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
"Small changes are easier to make and can add up to make a big difference. For example, having smaller portions, swapping to healthier options, saying 'no thanks' to seconds or the children’s leftovers, and going for a walk instead of watching TV. Every small step will help people keep a healthy weight and improve their health."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "Obesity is a modern lifestyle epidemic that is threatening our health and wellbeing, and tackling the problem is one of the biggest public health challenges we face in Northern Ireland.
"However, there are no quick fixes and, in order to be effective, the campaign must be taken forward alongside the other recommendations in A Fitter Future for All. Every small step in the right direction will have long-term benefits in improving health and wellbeing."
61% of adults in Northern Ireland are overweight or obese, according to PHA.
The Northern Ireland Health Survey shows 43% of those assessed as overweight felt their weight was about right or too light.
The campaign will run until the end of March
(IT/GK)
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