Over 85,000 children will die prematurely as a result of obesity

New research has shown the longterm dangers of childhood obesity in Ireland.

A new study has estimated that over 85,000 children will die prematurely as a result of childhood obesity and serious weight issues. The research was conducted by University College Cork for Safefood Ireland and found that a staggering number of children will die prematurely due to childhood obesity.

“One in four children on the island of Ireland are overweight or obese and with a 70 percent risk of this tracking into adulthood, this can result in lifelong and inter-generational ill health,” says Director of Human Health and Nutrition at Safefood, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan. “Much can and must be done to lessen this otherwise inevitable and unacceptable burden on society and implementing the obesity strategies North and South is the way forward.”

The research also found that childhood obesity has a huge financial impact on the country, with the lifetime cost being estimated at €7.2 billion. That figure includes estimates for both the Republic of Ireland and the North. The cost per person in the Republic came in around €16,000 per person, while it was higher in the North - more than £18,000 (€20,251) per person.