£5m obesity plan welcome but ‘root causes’ must also be tackled warns Derry MLA

The new £5 million scheme to tackle obesity is expected to be rolled out in early autumn 2026. The Department of Health identifies obesity as ‘one of Northern Ireland’s biggest public health issues’, with 65% of adults living with obesity or excess weight. ROMS will enable adult patients to access weight loss medication, if clinically appropriate, as well as lifestyle support to ensure maximum effectiveness. Mr Durkan said this was a “first important step to safely support those struggling with their weight and associated health complications”. “The introduction of a regional obesity management service has the potential to improve lives, reduce serious long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers and ease pressure on our overstretched health service. “However, if we are serious about tackling obesity, we also have to tackle the root causes. Obesity is not simply about personal choice; it is intrinsically linked to deprivation, poverty and inequality. “Figures from NISRA highlight the stark reality that health outcomes are worst in areas of high deprivation, where obesity rates among Primary 1 children are 73% higher than those in the least deprived areas, with the gap widening further to 87% among Year 8 pupils. Those statistics should concern us all. “For too many families in deprived areas like Derry and Strabane, healthier choices simply aren’t the cheaper choices. Processed foods are often the most affordable option when households continue to battle against the rising cost of living. We can’t ignore the reality that many parents are trying to feed their families on extremely limited incomes. “That’s why tackling obesity must go hand in hand with tackling poverty. Education around cooking and healthy lifestyles from also has an important role to play.” Mr Durkan said the Sugar Tax funds need to be ringfenced to expand weight management services and help address related health conditions. “This announcement is welcome and represents real progress but it cannot happen in isolation. We need to look at the bigger picture and links with poverty, to help people across the North live healthier lives,” he added.