The Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, has said that obesity is becoming one of the most serious health problems in Ireland.
The results of a survey published today show that while many people would like to exercise more, they say they do not have the time or energy to do so.
While 69% of the 1,100 adults surveyed agreed that Ireland has a serious obesity problem, only one third said they would exercise more if they had more time.
One fifth of those surveyed said they would watch television and 12% said they would sleep if they could find an extra hour to spare each day.
Obesity is being blamed on overeating, takeaway food and too little exercise.
The Department of Health is launching a campaign to promote more healthy eating, in particular the need to eat smaller portions of food.
The survey was commissioned by the health promotion unit of the Department of Health and conducted by Lansdowne Market Research Omnibus.
