Halting obesity rates now could save £940 million in dementia care in the future

The results from a recent study presented at the European Congress on Obesity suggest that the rise in obesity could lead to an increase in the prevalence of dementia.

14/05/2013   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Report Card 11

A new UNICEF report, Report Card 11, puts the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and the UK in 10th and 16th position respectively in a league table of child well-being in the world's richest countries.

10/04/2013   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Launch of Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 – 2025.

Today the Department of Health launched Healthy Ireland, a new government framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland.

28/03/2013   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Killian Byrne - Operation Transformation – One Year On

Our guest blogger Killian Byrne, event manager and Dad of two, was a leader on Operation Transformation last year. He has continued his amazing lifestyle change since his time on the show ended in 2012. Read on to find out how he did it.

08/03/2013   by Killian Byrne   1 Comments

What we can learn about food safety from our garden

Just like plants, bacteria can ‘wake up’ when there’s a change in their environment but stop growing when conditions are unfavourable.

01/03/2013   by David McCleery   0 Comments

Heart healthy benefits to a vegetarian diet

Researchers from the University of Oxford in the UK examined the association of a vegetarian diet with the risk of developing coronary heart disease (e.g. angina or heart attack).

01/02/2013   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Does being overweight really mean a longer life expectancy?

Yesterday newspaper headlines worldwide claimed that being overweight can extend life rather than shorten it.

03/01/2013   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Obesity is now killing more people than hunger

Research results compiled from the work of nearly 500 researchers in 50 countries conclude that obesity and the diseases that arise as a result are overtaking problems related to hunger on a global scale.

21/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Can drinking coffee half your risk of mouth cancer?

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology examined associations of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea intake with deaths from oral or pharyngeal cancer.

13/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Obesity rates declining in the US?

After decades of rising childhood obesity rates, several American cities are reporting their first declines.

12/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Wine not so good for the heart after all?

It has long been thought that moderate wine consumption was good for the heart.

10/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Effect of reducing total fat intake on body weight

A low fat diet works for achieving a healthier body weight.

07/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Cost of Obesity and Malnutrition in the UK

Public Sector 100: Health and Nutrition in the Public Sector Report 2012 shows the health, social and economic cost of poor diet in the UK.

05/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Men’s Health!

Men, on the island of Ireland, experience an unequal burden of ill-health.

05/12/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

The economic cost of obesity

Findings from new safefood funded research into the cost of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland has estimated the annual cost to be €1.64 billion (€1.13 billion Republic of Ireland; €510 million Northern Ireland).

28/11/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Health Survey Northern Ireland 2011/12

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have presented the first results from the 2011/12 Health Survey NI with a sample size of 4,390 individuals.

23/11/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Supplements and the common cold

I’m acutely aware of the joys of the winter cold. The paracetamol, honey and lemon have taken the edge off my cold but I haven’t been amused over the last couple of days when friends said...

23/11/2012   by Marian Faughnan   1 Comments

Infant Feeding

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have published two reports highlighting key recommendations to improve the nation’s baby feeding patterns and nutrition.

20/11/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Physical activity, superfoods and coeliac disease... more on EUFIC Online

The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has published a new edition of EUFIC Online, the newsletter that provides you with insights into food safety & quality and health & nutrition for a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

13/11/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Men matter!

Men, on the island of Ireland, experience a unequal burden of ill-health.

09/11/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Losing weight - what works?

Commercial diets and diet books often promise quick fixes, and let’s be honest, most of us would love a quick fix. Unfortunately though, these diets tend to be unsustainable. "So what does work?"

09/11/2012   by Aileen McGloin   0 Comments

Cancer: A conversation that we should be having.

The evidence that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of most cancers is strong. As a nutritionist it’s a message that I often give.

19/10/2012   by Marian Faughnan   0 Comments

Low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods and pregnancy

Women who switch to a low GI diet during pregnancy reduce their chances of excessive weight gain by up to 20%.

18/09/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Shift work and health

Shift workers can be at a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, digestive problems, sleep disorders, depression and vitamin D deficiency than those who work standard hours.

10/09/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Feeding the sporty teenager

‘Back to school’ time is now upon us. For many it’s a welcome return to some routine and order at home, and food plays a big role in this.

30/08/2012   by Marian Faughnan   0 Comments

Antibiotics and increased weight gain

New research from the United States (US) has added to the theory that antibiotics can disrupt people’s gut bacteria causing them to put on weight.

28/08/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Obesity and cognition

New research links obesity to declining mental performance. The study published in the journal Neurology, looked at over 6,000 people over a decade.

28/08/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Obese children and gallstone risk

Obese children are over seven times more likely than those of healthy weight to be diagnosed with gallstones.

28/08/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Belly fat and risk of heart disease

Normal weight people who carry weight around their belly have a greater risk of dying than people who are obese.

28/08/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Food and Drink sponsorship and sport

If the Olympics are to be true to their motto of “inspiring a generation”, having fast food and beer as the main sponsors as well as an official “treats provider” are not the way to go.

27/07/2012   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

A Body Shape Index to measure obesity

Researchers have developed a new metric to measure obesity, called A Body Shape Index (ABSI) that combines Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference. ABSI shows better correlation with death rate than the measures used separately.

26/07/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

NICE guidance on preventing type 2 diabetes

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have published new guidance “Preventing type 2 diabetes: risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk”.

16/07/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Low-calorie sweeteners

Research has shown that low-calorie sweeteners can reduce calorie intake and aid weight control in healthy adults when used instead of sugar.

16/07/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

(Not) Working 9 to 5…

Picture it! As I write this post, somewhere in the world it’s the middle of the night and even though most will be snug in their beds, there will be someone, somewhere – working!

13/07/2012   by Emily Kelleher   0 Comments

Dietary sodium levels among adults in England

A new study in England has shown that 7 out of 10 people are consuming too much salt.

02/07/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

TV viewing and obesity in children and young people

The National Obesity Observatory (NOO) have looked at the evidence around TV viewing and obesity in children and young people.

29/06/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

The National Pre-School Nutrition Survey

Results from the National Pre-School Nutrition Survey were published yesterday by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA).

21/06/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Survey finds poor awareness of cancer risk factors

A survey conducted at University College Cork in conjunction with Breakthrough Cancer Research and the Irish Cancer Society has found poor awareness of cancer risk factor among Irish people.

31/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   1 Comments

Link between lack of sleep and risk of obesity and diabetes

New research has shown that a lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns may lead to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.

24/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Association between drinking coffee and living longer

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has looked at the association between drinking coffee and risk of death among 402,260 people aged between 50 and 71 years.

21/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

The effect of labelling food as ‘low in salt’

New research published in Public Health Nutrition has looked at the effect of front-of-pack labels on people’s taste perception and use of table salt for currently available and sodium-reduced soups.

21/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Pregnancy and weight

New research is placing an emphasis on achieving a healthy weight both before and during pregnancy.

21/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Food safety ads and cooking

Our latest food safety TV advertisement. Effective or over the top? We explain why we think it won’t affect whether a person chooses to cook or not..

08/05/2012   by Aileen McGloin   0 Comments

Eating fish may lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

New research has found eating fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

03/05/2012   by Christine Connolly   0 Comments

Breastfeeding and risk of overweight and obesity at nine years of age

New research has found that breastfeeding protects against children becoming obese at nine years of age.

02/05/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

Launch of Caloriewise

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) Northern Ireland have launched Caloriewise, a six-month pilot scheme in which local food businesses will display calorie information on menus for the first time.

25/04/2012   by Barbara Whelan   0 Comments

We'll be back soon!

Thanks for visiting our blog which is currently undergoing some work. We will be back posting soon. If you’ve got comments about what we have written to date or thoughts on future topics you would be interested in...

18/01/2012   by Niamh Gately   0 Comments

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back, blog, break, soon

The power of role modelling

Kids do the funniest things. Especially when they start to mimic those around them. Whether it's their favourite character on television (my 2 and-a-bit year old thinks he is a Fireman), a friend or adult in their lives, children have an ability to ...

18/09/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

You will, you will, you will

Are social niceties part of our obesity problem? It’s hard not to giggle to yourself when you think of the sketch from Father Ted where Pauline McLynn, a.k.a. the famous Mrs. Doyle, insists on tea...

02/09/2011   by Deirdre Cosgrove   1 Comments

Do you want some pinks instead of greens?

Thanks to Aileen for a great post last week on sleep and weight - I feel refreshed! Here's something to brighten up a gloomy August Friday and for filing under I-can't-believe-they-didn't-think-of-that-sooner. Rainbow coloured cauliflower. Now avai...

15/08/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

Worried about your weight? Don't close your eyes to the benefits of sleep!

How many hours of sleep do you normally get each night? 5? 6? 7? 8? More at the weekends? Oh, lucky you if you do! Everybody knows that getting enough sleep is important. Well, we soon find out if we don’t. There’s nothing as lousy as yawning your ...

05/08/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

We're men....we've lots to talk about

Men. Sure, we're usually a species of few words at the best of times. But hopefully this week, we'll have lots to talk about. It's Men's Health Week and there's plenty happening to remind us hunter-gathers to talk about things for a change and get ...

13/06/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Tickled pink about milk

Tickled pink about milk

25/05/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

Embrace your fussy eater

Fussy eating. I don't mean the this-recipe-would-be-so-much-nicer-if-you-used-fresh-herbs variety of fussy eater. Oh no. I mean those little darling(s) in your life who probably coined the phrase "flip flop" when it came to their personal stance o...

11/03/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   2 Comments

We were born to run...

Sorry if you missed your weekly portion of the blog last week - some technical issues (me) as well as getting ready to run in the Operation Transformation 5k last Saturday (me again) meant I missed the post. Apologies and normal service resumed. ...

25/02/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Why chips will matter more than ever..

I'll be honest, I may have drawn you in with the lure of chipped potatoes, all golden and sprinkled with salt and vinegar. Those aren't the chips I'm talking about. Sorry. The chips I'm blogging about are the electronic kind and are at the heart of...

11/02/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Viva la resolution

Thanks for visiting the blog and welcome back. Sorry for not posting since early December - the bad weather, workload and some blog-free time over the festive season all played their part. That and trying to work my way through all those Christm...

07/01/2011   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

These boots were made for walking...

Depending on where you live, this coming Monday is a Bank Holiday. Which is great, because there's nothing nicer than a long weekend every now and then. How you spend it is entirely up you. Doing lots or doing nothing, whatever floats your boat. M...

21/10/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Why I'm washing my hands of it

Next Friday, October 15th is Global Handwashing Day. But before you decide to roll your mouse and click out of here, give me a hand and bear with me for a minute. This is the third year of this worldwide initiative, which is backed by leading pu...

08/10/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

Why growing your own is growing on me..

Green shoots. We could all do with some of that right now. Earlier this year, safefood launched a funded demonstration programme of Community Food Initiatives (CFI) across the island of Ireland. You can hear about them on the following ...

01/10/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

The relentless march of portion sizes..

If you were at our Social Media conference last week, hope you enjoyed it. And if you couldn't make it, the presentations and audio are now available to download/podcast. Food Portions. What's a portion? Would you like another portion? Do you ha...

14/09/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

You are what you Tw-eat

Social Media is changing in many ways, how we live our lives and how we communicate with each other. This blog is just one small part of that. And next Thursday 16th, we're hosting a one-day conference for those working in food and health on the isl...

10/09/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

Why dashboard dining is a table for one

Hi there and it's good to be back from holidays. I had a great break and enjoyed spending more time with the kids. Thanks to all the guest bloggers who filled in while I was away.  Back to the blog in hand. My work at safefood involves a rang...

06/09/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Muscling in ...

Hi Martin Higgins, CEO of safefood here, I’m just muscling in on the blog space while Dermot is still away. When I get time away from my job here, I like to spend it doing something I love… fishing. The fact that I am absolutely useless at it does no...

31/08/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   1 Comments

Welcome to the Scoop, our new blog!

With six short words “How about we do a blog?”, I've started something that's new, exciting and to be honest, a little bit into the unknown for me and for safefood. At one time, blogs (or blogging) were to me a bit like having a pension - I understo...

10/08/2010   by Dermot Moriarty   0 Comments

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