Obesity in Europe - A Joint Paper from the IMO and the BMA (NI) - June 2010

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the British Medical Association Northern Ireland (BMA(NI)) recognise that obesity levels are increasing throughout the European Union (EU).

Both organisations urge their respective governments, the leaders of the EU and other Member States to continue to work together to reduce obesity levels and address the long-term implications of obesity through the formulation and implementation of coordinated policies and strategies.

Both the IMO and the BMA (NI) are calling on EU Commissioners for Health to lead the way in establishing public health policy that is fit for purpose and based on the common values and principles that underpin all EU healthcare systems.

In particular, the organisations are jointly calling for measures to:

• Educate, to increase understanding of what constitutes a balanced diet
• Improve nutrition, through better access to healthier food
• Encourage exercise and activity amongst adults and children
• Stop advertising unhealthy foodstuffs targeted at children