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Our physicians are committed to tackling the major factors that cause obesity including our unhealthy diets, our sedentary lifestyles and our obesogenic environment.
Members of the RCPI Policy Group on Obesity are doctors working in all areas of the Irish health system, whose patients are suffering as a consequence of obesity and obesity-related diseases.
The RCPI Policy Group on Obesity is actively influencing the national health agenda and clinical training programmes to help doctors and the public understand and address the causes of obesity.
We want to ensure those who are suffering from overweight and obesity are offered appropriate care.
The RCPI Policy Group on Obesity was established in 2014 and is chaired by Professor Donal O’Shea, a Consultant Endocrinologist, and Professor Catherine Hayes, a Public Health Specialist.
Why Do We Need to take Action?
The WHO has warned that Ireland is on a dangerous trajectory to become one of the most obese countries in Europe.
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Prevention is the key to turning the tide of obesity.
"In the race to become the most obese country in Europe, Ireland looks set to win. Latest predictions estimate that by 2030, 90 per cent of Ireland’s population will be overweight or obese, the highest projected level of any European country."
RCPI Policy Group on Obesity
The race we don’t want to win - Tackling Ireland’s obesity epidemic, August 2014
What do we want?
We are recommending a number of evidence-based measures in the following areas:
Public Health Policy
prohibition of TV advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) up to 9pm and a ban on marketing of HFSS foods to children
monitoring by government of all approaches to food marketing, sponsorship and brand management directly or indirectly aimed at children
introduction of a front-of-pack, traffic light food labelling system
introduction of a 20 per cent tax on sugar sweetened drinks (SSDs)
consistent application and monitoring of local area planning guidelines on the location of fast food outlets throughout the country
built environment planning that facilitates and encourages people to be physically active including promotion of active travel through planning regulations and guidelines, and continued investment in necessary infrastructure.
Healthcare, Education and Community Settings
adoption of a ‘weight aware’ ethos in all clinical services
providing a majority (at least 60 per cent) of healthy options in food service facilities in healthcare settings and providing only healthy options in children’s units
a commitment from schools to allow free play and physical activity in school playgrounds/recreation areas
better provision of healthy food choices in school breakfast clubs, supported by funding, adequate facilities and promotion of nutritional guidelines
use of the profile and influence of sporting organisations and sports people in communities to promote physical activity and consumption of healthy, rather than unhealthy, food and drinks.
Everyday Clinical Practice
record overweight/obesity using the same principles as chronic disease, including recording Body Mass Index (BMI) above the normal range on the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)
make weight measurement standard practice with each professional contact
provide advice to women and partners on optimising weight prior to pregnancy
encourage women to exercise to a light or moderate level in pregnancy
emphasise the benefits of breastfeeding for the weight of the child
highlight healthy weaning practices with parents
identify and address early instances where mothers are overweight during the years following delivery
monitor growth of all children aged 0-4 years according to the HSE’s Best Health for Children Guidelines
emphasise the benefits to mental wellbeing of being a healthy weight
in managing psychiatric illness, consider the potential for rapid development of obesity as a side effect of certain drugs, communicate the risks to patients and take action to mitigate the effects.
Medical Education and Training
development of an educational programme in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland around weight management for all health professionals (including trainers), with the support of a Royal College of Physicians of Ireland lead
establishment of a national multi-disciplinary weight management training group to liaise with undergraduate and postgraduate training bodies to incorporate core elements of weight management training future curricula
establishment of an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) role in the care of obesity and related diseases (bariatric care)
support for obesity research across all disciplines.
Treatment and Management of Obesity
ensure children and adults who are overweight/obese have access to an integrated obesity treatment and weight management service within community, primary and secondary care settings providing evidence-based models of care according to their need
appoint a National Clinical Lead for Obesity with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the treatment and management aspects of the National Obesity Strategy
identify and scale up budgetary allocations for obesity treatment.
support ongoing data collection and surveillance of overweight/obesity as a key component of Ireland’s ehealth Strategy. Collate data on all sections of the population and across all healthcare settings via a centralised obesity data hub
educate all healthcare professionals on the management of obesity at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and educate all relevant government department and non-governmental organisational staff
resource adequate levels of healthcare staff and appropriate equipment to deal with individuals who are obese in all healthcare facilities.
Towards a National Obesity Strategy
We believe our policy recommendations on the prevention, treatment and management of obesity provide a comprehensive roadmap to address the huge challenge that obesity presents to all of Irish society now and in the years ahead.
We strongly call for the adoption and implementation of our recommendations as part of a national obesity strategy.
In 2014 the group published its first policy statement focusing on prevention of obesity. This policy statement was updated in 2017 by the RCPI Policy Group on Ageing, to reflect the specific needs of the older population. The expert report on how to clinically manage and treat obesity in Ireland was also revised and age-attuned in 2017.
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