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Trends in overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Irish adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2011

E. A. Boylan ,
B. A. McNulty ,
J. Walton ,
A. Flynn ,
A. P. Nugent  and
M. J. Gibney
E. A. Boylan
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
B. A. McNulty
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
J. Walton
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
A. Flynn
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
A. P. Nugent
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
M. J. Gibney
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Abstract

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Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 70 , Issue OCE3: Joint Irish Section and American Society for Nutrition Meeting, 15–17 June 2011, 70th anniversary: ‘Vitamins in early development and healthy ageing: impact on infectious and chronic disease’ , 2011 , E115
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011

Obesity is a serious and complex public health issue that can have a significant detrimental effect on health(1). A BMI equal to or greater than 25 kg/m2 defines overweight, while a BMI equal to or over 30 kg/m2 defines obesity, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)(1).

The aim of this research was to investigate trends in overweight and obesity in the Republic of Ireland. This was assessed using data from the Irish National Nutrition Survey (INNS, 1990)(Reference Lee and Cunningham2), the North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (NSIFCS, 2001)(Reference McCarthy, Harrington and Kiely3) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS, 2011)(4). BMI was determined as weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared and cut-offs defined according to the WHO(1).

* P<0.05 denotes significant differences between the three surveys for levels of normal, overweight and obesity (Crosstabs and Chi-square test). INNS, Irish National Nutrition Survey; NSIFCS, North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey; NANS, National Adult Nutrition Survey.

The prevalence of obesity in Irish adults has increased approximately 2.2-fold during the last three decades. This trend is evident for both men (3.3-fold increase) and women (1.7-fold increase). In contrast, the prevalence of normal weight has decreased between 1990 (INNS) and 2011 (NANS) for the total population and for both men and women. Significant changes in the proportion of the population classified as overweight were also observed.

These results highlight the growing trend of obesity in Irish adults. Effective treatment and prevention strategies are needed to avoid further increases in the next decade.

This study was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food for Health Research Initiative (2007–2012).

References

1.World Health Organisation (WHO) (1998). Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. WHO/NUT/NCD/98.1. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
2.Lee, P & Cunningham, K (1990) The Irish National Nutrition Survey 1990. Dublin: Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.Google Scholar
3.McCarthy, SN, Harrington, KE, Kiely, M et al. (2001) Public Health Nutr 4,1099–1106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (2011) The National Adult Nutrition Survey. http://www.iuna.netGoogle Scholar
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