Governments come up with important sounding names for committees

A review of the progress made by the Irish government into tackling the problem of overweight and obese people in the country has shown that very few of the recommendations issued four years ago have been put into place. A special committee called the National Taskforce on Obesity which was set up to look at what could be done came up with 93 specific recommendations however only eighteen of these have been acted upon.

This is a state of affairs which seems to persist all over developed nations in Europe and also in America. Governments come up with important sounding names for committees to look into the problem of obesity but when push comes to shove they seem to do very little about it. Governments seem to be doing more to publicise the small weight loss initiatives that they implement them actually getting on with the others that need to be put into place.

At Ukmedix News we have been arguing for some time now that it is no good simply doing one or two things to beat obesity, and that every single player in the food industry, advertising industry and relevant government departments needs to play a part in a full on war on obesity. Legislation on the advertising and production of food especially those foods directed at children must be enacted. Incentives have to be given to people to lose weight and the UK government should also be aware that by spending millions on these campaigns they will eventually save millions in the future from a reduction in obesity related illness.

Governments also need to understand that the longer that they put off doing what they should be doing the more severe problem will become.  For many people losing weight is next to impossible and they need help and the government should be providing it in the form of education and legislation.

If individuals like Jaime Oliver can make such a difference to the healthy eating habits of schoolchildren then there is no reason why the government with their huge resources cannot do more.