British Heart Foundation NI has called on the NI Executive to urgently deliver its actions within the ‘Healthy Futures’ obesity strategy, including publishing a consultation to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods.

This comes on the back of the announcement by the Department of Health of the rollout of a Regional Obesity Management Service this autumn which BHF NI has highlighted “does not go far enough” and warned that if further urgent action isn’t taken, obesity-related deaths will continue to rise.

Head of British Heart Foundation NI, Fearghal McKinney, said: “While we welcome the announcement of the first phase of the obesity programme as a significant step forward to support people living with obesity, this alone does not go far enough in providing a long-term and multi-department government solution.

“Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of the increasing number of deaths in Northern Ireland.

“This announcement must be accompanied by urgent delivery of actions within the Healthy Futures obesity strategy, including publishing a consultation to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods.”

Fearghal added: “Without further action to prevent obesity and support healthier choices, obesity prevalence and the number of cardiovascular deaths associated with excess weight will continue to rise.”

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