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.
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
Public Health Policy
Healthcare, Education and Community Settings
Everyday Clinical Practice
Medical Education and Training
Treatment and Management of Obesity
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.
Prof Donal O’Shea (Co-Chair) | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, St Vincent's University Hospital and St. Columcille's Hospital |
Prof Catherine Hayes (Co-Chair) | Faculty of Public Health Medicine, RCPI |
Prof Hilary Hoey | Faculty of Paediatrics, RCPI |
Dr Vivion Crowley | Faculty of Pathology, RCPI |
Prof Michael Turner | Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists |
Dr Brendan O’Shea | Irish College of General Practitioners |
Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan | Safefood |
Dr Siobhan Jennings | Prevention of Chronic Disease Programme |
Dr Abbie Lane | College of Psychiatrists of Ireland |
Dr Andrew Maree | Irish Cardiac Society |
Prof Walter McNicholas | Irish Thoracic Society |
Helen McAvoy/Elizabeth Mitchell | Institute of Public Health |
Ms Triona Keane | Irish Heart Foundation |
Dr Jean O'Connell | RCPI Postgraduate Specialist Training |
Prof Humphrey O'Connor | President, Irish Society of Gastroenterology |
Dr Gillian Paul | RCSI, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery |
Prof Ivan Perry | Health Research Board Centre for Diet and Health Research |
Prof John Ryan | Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, RCSI/RCPI |
Ms Ruth Yoder | Psychological Society of Ireland |
Ms Cathy Breen | Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute |
Mr Donal Buggy | Irish Cancer Society |
Prof Cecily Kelleher |
School of Public, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin |
Dr Sinead Murphy | Temple Street Children's Hospital |
For information on our policy work on obesity contact:
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