The only way Ireland will tackle its growing levels of obesity is by tackling its "obesegenic environment", a Canadian-based expert warned yesterday.
Dr Mary Flynn, Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Alberta and Calgary in Canada and co-principal investigator in an international project to establish best practices for prevention of childhood obesity, said everywhere people went they were surrounded by "supersized" portions of food.
"You can't even buy petrol without smelling food these days," she said.
"The whole focus has to be on changing the environment so that when it comes to food and physical activity the healthy choices become the easy choices."
Dr Flynn will address a meeting of community dietitians in Monaghan today who are coming together to discuss strategies to tackle obesity in Ireland.
Obesity now affects 16 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men across the country, according to a North South Food Consumption survey.
Dr Flynn said other environmental factors such as the fact that most families had two cars and used a remote control for their TV also contributed to obesity levels.
If areas did not have playgrounds children would not be active and even this had to be considered, she added.