• To determine public support for a range of policies, including fiscal (taxes and subsidies) and non-fiscal, and interventions to address obesity on the island of Ireland in a nationally representative sample in Ireland and Northern Ireland to support obesity policy implementation plans in both jurisdictions
• To build on the most recent surveys conducted on the island of Ireland to assess the public’s attitude to interventions, which were carried out in 2013 and 2014. A number of policies and interventions have been implemented since then and it is now timely to investigate public attitudes to obesity interventions again and draw comparisons in public acceptance for policies to address obesity over time. 
• To provide an  overview  of  the  main  findings  from  a  quantitative survey  and  qualitative focus groups. 
• To propose recommendations that can inform future policies to reduce the prevalence of people living with obesity on the island of Ireland.

Outputs

Research report

• Title: Attitudes of the public towards policies to address obesity
• Publication date: 2 June 2014
• Summary: To determine public acceptance of a range of policies to address obesity in Ireland.
• Findings:

  Survey results

  • Respondents were surveyed on 37 obesity-related policies, categorised into child-focused policies, informational interventions, fiscal measures, and industry regulation measures. There was high public support for most obesity-related interventions except additional health charges for those with obesity and portion size restrictions in restaurants.
  • Child-focused policies were the most popular, with socio-economic and demographic factors influencing levels of support.
  • Comparisons with 2014 data show few but significant changes in policy support, particularly regarding the importance of the food environment and individual responsibility for weight.
  • A third of respondents with excess weight reported experiences of weight-related discrimination. Despite this, there was consensus that individuals with obesity have the same right to healthcare as others.

  Focus group results

  • Focus group participants voiced support for school-focused initiatives, cost and accessibility of food, and education about obesity and nutrition. There was general disagreement on health insurance price reductions for people with healthy weights.
  • The impact of COVID-19 on health behaviours was discussed extensively, revealing both positive and negative effects.
  • Participants shared personal or second-hand experiences of weight-based discrimination, indicating a need for clearer definitions of "weight-based discrimination" and "weight stigma."
• Recommendations:

  The findings underscore broad public support for various obesity-related policies and suggest several recommendations for policymakers:

  Policy implementation

  • Government departments should continue implementing and developing nutrition standards for meals in educational and healthcare settings and extend these standards to other environments.
  • Ensure that all children and young people have opportunities to learn practical food skills and healthy eating knowledge during their education, supported by adequate facilities for cooking and physical activity in schools.
  • Restrict marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to children, by developing and enforcing mandatory codes of practice for both children and adults.

  Fiscal and pricing policies

  • Consider extending fiscal measures, such as taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks, to encourage healthier eating habits.
  • Pair less popular policies, like restaurant portion size reductions, with consumer-supported approaches such as price reductions to make smaller portions more appealing.
  •  Regularly monitor the effects of these measures to ensure their effectiveness.

  Public acceptability and behavioural science

  • Map obesity policies using a behavioural science approach to ensure they are feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective.
  • Continuously monitor public support for existing and future policies, as attitudes may shift based on social climate or significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Perceptions of obesity

  • Increase public awareness that obesity is a multifactorial disease, focusing on understanding and addressing weight stigma.
  • Use person-first language in all obesity-related communications and ensure non-stigmatizing, non-discriminatory imagery.
  • Incorporate the experiences of people living with obesity into all aspects of public policy to ensure their perspectives are considered and respected.

  These recommendations align with current initiatives in Ireland and Northern Ireland and with broader European obesity policies, aiming to create a comprehensive and supportive framework to address obesity effectively.

  You can download the reports below.