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Obesity is so prevalent it has become more common than being underweight in most nations (stock pic)

More than a billion people worldwide are obese, WHO study

More than one billion people globally are now considered obese, a condition linked to an increased risk of numerous serious health problems, according to updated estimates from the World Health Organization and an international group of researchers.

World • 01 Mar 24

Defining obesity will no longer be based on weight, size or body mass index (BMI)

Treatment of obesity broadens with new guidelines

New clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of obesity for adults are being launched today, which will mean obesity will no longer be solely defined by weight in recognising that it is a disease defined by many factors.

Health • 25 Oct 22

Plans on this proposal had been suspended during Covid-19 and has not yet restarted

On the menu: Calls for calorie labelling plan to resume

The HSE's National Clinical Lead for Obesity is calling for plans for calorie posting on menus to be put "back on the table".

Ireland • 20 May 22

The weight of the world - New study looked at population growth, ageing, growing body masses, declining physical activity and increased food waste

4bn could be overweight by 2050, warns study

More than 4 billion people could be overweight by 2050, with 1.5bn of them obese, if the current global dietary trend towards processed foods continues, a first-of-its-kind study has predicted.

World • 18 Nov 20

Hot take-away food benefits from a special 9% VAT introduced in 2011

Call for fast food to be taxed at highest rate of VAT

The Irish Heart Foundation has called for take-away fast food to be taxed at the highest rate of VAT to combat our growing obesity crisis.

Health • 09 Sep 18

The study found more than half the US population will be obese by 2045 if current trends continue

One in eight to have type 2 diabetes by 2045 - study

Almost a quarter of the world's population will be obese by 2045, according to a new study.

Health • 23 May 18

There were 74 million obese children and teenagers in the world in 2016, up from six million in 1975

Child and teen obesity up tenfold since 1975 - WHO

The number of obese children and adolescents worldwide has jumped tenfold in the past 40 years and the rise is accelerating in low - and middle-income countries, especially in Asia, a major study has found.

Health • 11 Oct 17

Ireland has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe

Call for national obesity treatment programme

The Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism has called on the HSE to introduce a national obesity treatment programme.

Health • 17 May 17

Chile's government accuses the companies of breaching the law by using children's characters on packets of various products classed as 'high in' certain unhealthy ingredients

Chile sues Nestle, Kellogg's in anti-obesity drive

Chilean authorities are suing the giant breakfast cereal-makers Nestle and Kelloggs for putting children's cartoon characters on packets of fattening food in breach of an anti-obesity law, officials have said.

Business • 22 Nov 16

60% of adults and 25% of children living in Ireland are either overweight or obese

Obesity problem focus of new Govt plan

The Government has launched a new strategy aimed at tackling Ireland's growing obesity problem.

News • 22 Sep 16

Up to 40% of the body's ability to keep our weight in check is related to the immune system, according to the research

Research links obesity to immune system

Research by an international team of scientists and doctors, including some in Ireland, has established a strong connection between obesity and the immune system.

News • 01 Sep 16

Living with Obesity Series1 EP2

Maggie, from County Louth is suffering from obesity. She's 28 stone and 47 years old.

Voices • 05 Jan 17

Leo Varadkar said Cabinet has legislation will be passed to ensure calorie counts are placed on menus

Varadkar defends Govt record on tackling obesity

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has defended the Government's record on tackling the growing problem of obesity, saying it has taken a number of steps in recent years to address the issue.

News • 06 May 15

The forecast puts Irish men at the top of an overweight table of 53 countries, matched only by Uzbekistan

Irish weight levels set for dramatic rise - WHO

New research has found that Europe is heading for an unprecedented explosion in rates of excess weight, with Ireland at the forefront of the trend.

News • 06 May 15

The pill tricks the body into thinking it has consumed a large amount of calories

'Imaginary meal' pill developed to fight obesity

An "imaginary meal" pill has been developed by scientists to fight obesity.

News • 05 Jan 15

Roughly 23% of European women and 20% of European men were obese

Obesity can be deemed a disability at work

Europe's top court has ruled that obese people can be considered as disabled, meaning that they can be covered by an EU law barring discrimination at work.

News • 18 Dec 14

The minister said there are big challenges from obesity, stress and diet

Nation's health set to be assessed

The first official study of the nation's health in seven years has been announced - with 10,000 households to be assessed at random starting in the coming weeks.

News • 28 Oct 14

The report highlights the burden obesity places on the health system

79% of over 50s are obese or overweight - report

New research suggests nearly four out of five Irish adults over the age of 50 are overweight or obese.

News • 22 Jul 14

The study showed a "startling" surge in obesity and overweight rates in 188 countries around the world

Ireland's obesity levels above EU average

Ireland's population has overweight and obesity levels in excess of the European average, according to a comprehensive global study of the problem.

Ireland • 29 May 14

It is hoped the discovery will lead to the development of probiotics which can control obesity

Cork discovery raises hopes for obesity treatment

A team of scientists in Cork has made a significant discovery about how bacteria in the gut regulate weight and cholesterol levels.

News • 06 May 14

The findings are revealed in the latest report by the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

79% of over-50s obese or overweight - study

More than a third of over-50s in Ireland are obese, a major new report on ageing has revealed.

News • 29 Jan 14

Campaign launched over children's fruit drinks

The Director of Human Health at Safefood has said hidden sugars in common fruit drinks are contributing to childhood obesity.

News • 02 Dec 13

Calorie intake was linked with the amount of time children spent in front of TV or computer screens

20% of Irish five-year-olds overweight or obese

The latest findings from the 'Growing Up in Ireland' survey show that 20% of five-year-old children are overweight or obese.

News • 27 Nov 13

The RCPI believes the sugar tax would significantly impact childhood obesity and in time adult obesity

Physicians call for sugar tax to tackle obesity

The Royal College of Physicians has called on the Government to introduce a 20% tax on sugar sweetened drinks, including sports drinks, in the Budget to tackle obesity.

News • 07 Oct 13

The vast majority of those surveyed were reported to be in good health

Poorer children less likely to be 'very healthy'

A report has found that by the age of three, children from the most socially disadvantaged families are less likely to be rated as "very healthy" when compared to those from more advantaged ones.

News • 20 Sep 13