Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, has welcomed the Department of Health's announcement of a new Regional Obesity Management Service for Northern Ireland but stressed that "more needs to be done" to tackle the region's high rates of obesity.

Mr McKinney expressed his pleasure at the Health Minister's steps to address obesity, noting that living with obesity significantly increases the risk of heart and circulatory diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. He cited research estimating the societal cost of obesity in Northern Ireland at £500 million annually. "Northern Ireland has stubbornly high rates of obesity – 28 per cent of the adult population – around 410,000 adults- having a body-mass index (BMI) defined as obese," Mr McKinney stated. He therefore called for "urgent action" and a "cross-governmental approach for meaningful impact."

Beyond the new service, BHF NI is advocating for more comprehensive measures, including educating schoolchildren on healthier choices, banning junk food advertising to young people, and building communities that promote healthy lifestyles. Mr McKinney added: "In addition, we urgently need the Executive to commit to legislate to restrict the use of price promotions on high-fat, salt and sugar foods as well as introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol to reduce alcohol harm."

While acknowledging the positive nature of the ROMS announcement, Mr McKinney concluded: "This announcement is positive, but we need to see further bold action across all departments to help create a heart-healthy environment for everyone."