Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, November 2012

About the NHF

• Established in 2005• Innovative multi-stakeholder approach

– obesity is everyone’s responsibility• Focus on positive balanced messaging• Bringing together those with interest in

healthy lifestyle promotion i.e. diet and exercise

NHF multi-stakeholder membership

Food & Beverage Industry Non industry partners0

5

10

15

20

25

14

21

Food & Beverage Industry

Non industry partners

NHF Mission & Objectives

Mission: communicate evidence based

information on nutrition, health & physical

activity to encourage an improved and healthier

society in Ireland

Objectives: promote a healthy Ireland through:

• Consumer Understanding – research projects

• Communication – initiatives based on research

• Working with Government/Non-Government

• Further development of the NHF – greater representation via companies & organisations

ObesityThe Cause: A Great Debate

(Some examples only)

• Energy balance: calories in/out

• Physical inactivity

• Healthy vs. Unhealthy food choices

• Eating behaviours

• Food behaviours

• At home vs. away from home

• Genetics

• Community design

• Automobile culture

• Parenting practices & behaviour

• Marketing/Advertising • TV/computers/games• The food industry• Inexpensive “unhealthy”

food vs. expensive “healthy” food

• The environment• Individual responsibility• Lack of sleep

No single cause – everyone needs to be involved and working together

Why are we here? (1)

• Childhood obesity & its prevention

• Foetal origins of disease – key in

development of diseases in adulthood

• Support of NHF and its multi-stakeholder

approach in helping to address obesity using

evidence based information.

Who to prioritise in relation to childhood obesity? (1)

• Pregnant women

– Foetal origins of disease & the first 1000

days of life; most important

– Weight gain, breastfeeding & weaning

practices

– Opportunity at first GP presentation

• Children

– Need good nutrition & physical activity normalised

– Healthy eating guidelines for preschools and schools

should made compulsory

– Healthy lifestyle initiatives should be made

compulsory

– NHF & RAI

– with the

Who to prioritise in relation to childhood obesity? (2)

• NHF annual seminar:examines role of public & private sectors in tackling obesity – Thought leadership; national & international

speakers, food and beverage industry, NGOs on work in nutrition, lifestyle & physical activity

• Workplace wellbeing Campaign• Eat Smart Week – healthy eating week• Move Smart Week – physical activity week• Nutrition guide & diary for the teenage

Camogie player

Other NHF activities

Multi-stakeholder approach

• many other influences play a role in

prevention & management of

overweight & obesity

– government departments, education, food &

beverage industry, sectors responsible for

physical environments, social & community

sectors

– A coordinated approach across all sectors

and Government departments is required.