Health services need increased resources to tackle obesity

On World Obesity Day, a leading bariatric surgeon has called on the Department of Health and the HSE to commit increased resources to tackling obesity. The call comes after data published by the CSO last week revealed that more than four in 10 people said their consumption of junk food and sweets had increased since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

Dr. John Conneely, a consultant surgeon at the Mater Private Network, specialising in weight loss management and bariatric surgery, warned that Covid-19 is likely to increase the incidence of obesity in Ireland. Dr. Conneely has urged the Department of Health and HSE to urgently address the challenges which patients suffering from Obesity experience when trying to access weight loss or management services.