Dr. Nazih Eldin

Head of Health Promotion HSE Dublin North East

&

HSE Lead for Obesity

Translating Policy Into Action

Incidence• 38% of Irish adults were overweight and 23% were obese (SLAN 2007)

- Men 18< 45yrs 42% of men were overweight and 16% were obese

- Men 45 < 65yrs 50% were overweight and 33% were obese

- Men 65+yrs 45% were overweight and 27% were obese

• 37.35% of Irish adults are overweight and 23.55% are obese (NANS 2011)

- Men 18 < 50 yrs 44.2% are overweight and 23.5% are obese

- Men 51 – 64 yrs 44.4% are overweight and 42.1% are obese

• Among 7 year olds

- 13% of boys were overweight & 5% were obese

(WHO-European Obesity Surveillance Initiative:Ireland 2008)

- In WHO 2010 initial results look like this has remained stable.

• Among 5-12year olds

- 11% of boys were overweight& 9% were obese

(IUNA National Children’s Food Survey, 2005)

• Among 13 – 17 yrs

- 19% of boys ( 13% 1990) were overweight or obese (IUNA 2007)

The Risk of Childhood Obesity Tracking Into AdulthoodSource:GuoSS,WuW, Chumlea WC. American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition 2002; 76:653-658

Age in Years Risk in Boys Risk in Girls

< 8 yrs 1 in 5 1 in 3

8 – 13 yrs 1 in 3 > 1 in 2

> 13 yrs 1 in 2 2 in 3

The Full Obesity System Map with Thematic Clusters

Source: Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choice – Obesity System Atlas U.K. Government Office for Science.

HSE Priorities

• To halt and reverse the trend of obesity

• Develop multi sectoral forum for health to address determinants of

obesity

• Develop integrated multidisciplinary approach at all levels of

healthcare system

• Target populations in settings i.e. schools, communities, workplace,

prisons & homes

2011 Target Groups

1. Children 0-13yrs

2. Men 35-65yrs

3. Women of childbearing years

HSE Framework for Action on Obesity 2008 – 2012

HSE national Working Group on Obesity translated the recommendations

of the Taskforce Report into a 5 yr action plan with the following strategic

priorities :-

1. To enhance the effectiveness in surveillance, research, monitoring and

evaluation of obesity.

2. To develop a quality uniform approach to the detection and

management of obesity.

3. To develop our capacity in preventing overweight and obesity and to

promote health.

4. To communicate our messages on obesity effectively.

5. To proactively engage and support the work of other sectors in

addressing the determinants of obesity and the obesogenic

environment.

HSE Action PlanTo Combat

Overweight & Obesity

STRATEGIC PRIORITY NUMBER 1:

To enhance effectiveness in surveillance, research, monitoring and

evaluation of obesity.

Surveillance – WHO- European Childhood Obesity

Surveillance Initiative :Ireland

Research – SLAN, HBSC, IUNA, Lifeways Intergenerational

Study, P.A. Audit + links to Universities

Monitoring & Evaluation - National BMI Data Base for

Adults & Children, training to staff re anthropometric

measurement, evaluation of funded projects & agencies

STRATEGIC PRIORITY NUMBER 2:

To develop a quality uniform approach to the detection and management of

obesity.

Detection – WHO-European Childhood Obesity Surveillance in 7

& 9 year olds, SLAN, HBSC

Treatment/Management

– 4 Adult Tertiary Hospital Services Planned (2 operating now) + 1

National Paediatric Hospital Service (Crumlin & Tallaght

providing a limited service now).

- Overweight realistic Lifestyle Actions (ORLA) programme is

being piloted in Galway. This programme is adapted from the

diabetic DESMOND programme.

- Weight management Treatment Algorithms for Adults & Children

(for Primary Care)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY NUMBER 3:

To develop our capacity in preventing overweight and obesity and to promote

health.

Slí na Slainte Routes

PALs

Go For Life

HSE-Titans Bounce – Built to Move (9-12 yr olds)

Settings approach to H.P. programmes – preschool, primary &

secondary schools, out of school settings, community programmes etc.

Farmers Have Hearts

Ballymun Men’s Project

STRATEGIC PRIORITY NUMBER 4:

To communicate our message on obesity effectively

Development of a research repository - relevant education

materials, research & guidelines targeted at the ongoing

education of health professionals – NNSC

www.littlesteps.eu targeted at parents

www.getirelandactive.ie targeted at adults, teenagers &

children who wish to become more physically active through

participation and sport.

www.healthpromotion.ie - Provision of Health Promotion

resources to the public

The Knowledge Hub – IPH – www.obesityhub.info

STRATEGIC PRIORITY NUMBER 5:

To proactively engage and support the work of other sectors addressing the

determinants of obesity and the obesogenic environment.

National Steering Group on Physical Activity – HSE, ISC, IHF, 3rd level

Academic Colleges

Weight Management Subcommittee – HSE + ICGP, NNSC, DOHC

HSE Community Games – HSE + Community Games

www.communitygames.ie

Get Ireland Active Working Group – HSE, DOT, Multiagency group

All Island Obesity Forum – North-South Multiagency group

Healthy Food For All – HSE + Crosscare Food poverty programme

Cooperation & Working Together (CAWT) For Health Gain & Social

Wellbeing in Border Areas – HSE (ROI) + Health & Social Care Board, the

Southern & Western Health & Social Care Trusts (N.I.)

Thank You

Any Questions?