The Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland have published the results of the Healthy Ireland Survey 2017. The survey included people aged 15 years of age and over.

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland have published the results of the Health Survey 2016/17.

Spending on junk food advertising by the food industry is nearly 30 times higher than the spend on promoting healthy eating by the government.

A new study published in the Lancet reports that the levels of obesity in children and adolescents has risen 10-fold in the last 40 years. 

Last week the Lancet published a series of papers using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). The GBD study collects data in 195 countries worldwide including the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The European Heart Network (EHN) has published a paper on Transforming European food and drink policies for cardiovascular health. The paper presents recommendations for achieving a cardiovascular health promoting diet for Europe. 

Our folic acid message hasn’t changed, but we want to communicate it in a novel way to try to make it more engaging for young women. So for this campaign, we have created "Stella" to help get the folic acid message out there.

A new study, published in the Irish Medical Journal has found that on average 310 cancer deaths each year are attributable to excess body weight.

Today the new Nutrition Standards for School Meals were launched by the Minister for Health, the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These standards are designed to ensure the School Meals programme follows the national Healthy Eating Guidelines.

A report published by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World reveals that the average person consumes an extra 330 calories per week – 17,000 calories per year – as a result of "upselling" of foods and drinks high in calories, fat, sugar and salt. 

The cost of fruit and vegetables can be a large proportion of a weekly household budget. For many people, this prevents their purchase and therefore consumption.

A new report released by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has found that eating 90g of wholegrains a day reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%.

Researchers have found that one in eight adults over 50 in the Republic of Ireland are Vitamin D deficient. The research was carried out by researchers from TILDA, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study assessed the relationship between carbohydrates, fat and protein, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. 

A new study published in the journal Obesity suggests that losing a consistent amount of weight each week is linked with long-term maintenance of weight loss.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have launched a consultation on the draft new Global Action Plan to Promote Physical Activity.

Public Health England (PHE) have announced their next steps in tacking childhood obesity – a calorie reduction programme. 

Recently there has been a lot of media attention around the concept of being overweight or obese and "metabolically healthy". Researchers from the United Kingdom (UK) have found there is no such thing as this "healthy obesity".

A new report looks at the outcomes of The Australian Capital Territory "It’s your Move!" (ACT IYM) intervention carried out between 2012 and 2014.

A report released by Focus Ireland entitled "Food Access and Nutritional Health of Families in Emergency Accommodation" has highlighted the struggle of families in emergency accommodation to maintain a healthy diet.

Bord Bia have released a new report on the food attitudes, shopping and cooking trends of adults in the Republic of Ireland.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) have released a new report updating their recommendations on folic acid. These recommendations build on those issued previously in 2009.

Researchers at Birmingham City University say a new traffic light system on till receipts showing the nutritional information for an entire supermarket shop could allow people to make healthier choices about food.

There is evidence that sugar consumption is linked to an increased risk of obesity which is linked to the development of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As a result artificial sweeteners have become popular for those losing or maintaining weight as an alternative to sugar. However what is the truth behind artificial sweeteners – are they helpful?

The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) have launched their report on Childhood Obesity. The report examines the scientific evidence on the causes and consequences of childhood obesity, shares best practice from across BIPA jurisdictions and makes recommendations for future obesity strategies

Today the Irish Men’s Sheds Association have launched malehealth.ie.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have released a framework for assessing the cost of the economic burden of an unhealthy diet and low physical activity levels.

A new research article has been published which investigates the relationship between dietary protein levels and its effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in those aged 50 years or above.

Public Health England have released a report reviewing the impact of the built and natural environment on health.

A new advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA) examines the effects of replacing intakes of saturated fat with other types of dietary fat and carbohydrates and the associated risk of developing CVD.

University College Dublin Institute of Food and Health have published a new report which evaluates the Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme. The programme is aimed at primary school children in the Republic of Ireland and is designed to increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables.

The World Health Organization (WHO) have released a nutrition strategy entitled "Ambition and Action in Nutrition 2016-2025". The strategy aims to define the role of the WHO in advancing nutrition.

On the 16 of June 2017, Minimum nutritional standards for catering in health and social care were launched in Northern Ireland. The nutritional standards have been developed to promote healthy eating amongst staff and visitors in hospital restaurants and cafes.

Today the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health launched its State of Child Health – Northern Ireland report.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reports an increase in the prevalence and burden of disease related to high body mass index (BMI).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released the Obesity Update 2017.

A recent survey from the United States suggests that parents are unaware of how many calories their children should eat in restaurants.

Research carried out in Spain suggest a plant-based diet may be associated with a significantly lower risk of obesity.

For the vast majority of families, making changes to the food they eat can have a really positive impact on their weight and health. For others, whose weight is classed as​ obese, it's important to recognize that they need extra help from a health professional.

This week the Department of Health launched the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Trends Report. The report presents the findings on indicators of children’s health between 1998 and 2014.

This week the Department of Social Protection published the Social Inclusion Monitor 2015. The report presents the progress towards the national social target for poverty reduction in the Republic of Ireland.

Researchers have found that individuals with better food preparation skills had a lower consumption of processed foods.

Last week the Healthy Ireland Network was launched by an Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Healthy Ireland.  

This week the World Health Organization released a report on the health and well-being of young people in Europe from 2002 to 2014.

Individuals from a lower socio-economic background have a higher risk of obesity. Researchers have examined what factors mediate this association.

Dietary behaviours could be associated with higher academic achievement according to new research.

Offering overweight and obese individuals 12 months of weight loss classes could prevent thousands of cases of obesity-related diseases.

Yesterday Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy launched the 4th report from the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).

Children with obesity may have a four-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with children who are a normal weight.

Restrictions on the use of trans-fatty acids in restaurants and cafes in 11 New York states was associated with a drop in heart attacks and strokes.

A study of school children in the Republic of Ireland has found that few children met physical activity and screen time recommendations.

A study published in scientific journal Obesity found that small reductions in calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium of restaurant menu items were acceptable by consumers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new tool for monitoring the marketing of food and beverages to children via television and the internet.

The Food Standards Agency released the findings from the latest "Food and You" survey (Wave 4). It provides information on the public’s behaviours, attitudes and knowledge regarding food safety and food issues.

Sugary drinks are linked with weight gain and tooth decay. They include fizzy drinks, squashes, cordials, juice drinks and energy drinks. As part of our Childhood Obesity campaign one of our key messages was to replace sugary drinks with water.

Public Health England (PHE) published guidelines last week setting out the approaches that can be taken by the food industry to reduce the amount of sugar in foods.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of a change in food price on dietary consumption. The research found that increasing the cost of unhealthy food lowered its consumption and decreasing the cost of healthy food increased its consumption.

Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study show a fall in sugary drink consumption in Irish schoolchildren from 1998 to 2014.

A recent systematic review published in the journal Clinical Obesity has examined the determinants of adherence to lifestyle intervention programmes for the management of obesity.

A report released by Public Health England has tracked and examined changes in the weight status of children between the first and final years of primary school.

The third major report from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) was released last week. The report presents findings from Wave 3 of the study.

New research released by the Institute of Economic Affairs in the United Kingdom (UK) compared the cost of healthy and unhealthy foods.

A recent study published in scientific journal Nutrients received a lot of media attention much of which concluded that breastfeeding may not be as good as we think. The study was very limited in what it looked at and no conclusions can be drawn from it. Breast milk is the best option for babies where it is possible to breastfeed.

An association for 11 cancers (Oesophageal adenocarcinoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the gastric cardia, colon, rectum, biliary tract system, pancreas, breast, endometrium, ovary, and kidney) were supported by strong evidence in this study.

A tax on sugar sweetened beverages was introduced in Mexico in 2014 and a new study shows a decrease in purchases of taxed beverages by 7.6%.

This week, a report was published by safefood which evaluated the cooking and food skills of adults on the island of Ireland.

A recent study published in the Lancet journal has highlighted the contribution of socioeconomic status (SES) to premature mortality.

A paper released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (US) has provided an update on the current consumption of sugary drinks among children and teenagers in the US.

Researchers in Greece have investigated the association between gestational weight gain and body mass index (BMI) of children.

When we’re not quite sure what a "safe" level is or how dangerous a chemical can be is when problems arise. A good example of this is the news reports this week about something called acrylamide and food like burnt toast. First, the science bit!

Researchers examined the health effects of changing the average diet to meet the new recommendations set out in the new Eatwell Guide launched in the UK in March 2016. The key differences in the new recommendations are a decrease in the recommended free sugar intake and an increase in the recommended fibre intake.

A recent study carried out by researchers in the United Kingdom (UK) has found that obesogenic environments heighten the genetic risk of obesity. An obesogenic environment is one that promotes weight gain and is not conducive to weight loss.

A survey carried out by Public Health England (PHE) has found that children are consuming half the daily recommended sugar intake from their breakfast.

A study published in the British Medical Journal has added to evidence that saturated fat intake is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Researchers in the United Kingdom (UK) predict that a tax on sugary beverages will have a positive effect on health.

A new review article published in Food & Nutrition Research examines the scientific evidence on dairy intake and risk of chronic diseases including obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer and all-cause mortality.

Today the Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, TD, launched Healthy Food for Life – new healthy eating guidelines and an updated Food Pyramid.

A recent study by researchers from Trinity College Dublin found that older Irish adults are not meeting the recommended daily servings of dairy.

A study, published in Nature suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in weight regain after dieting.

Yesterday the Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, TD, launched the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network.

A study published in the Journal "Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism" found that aspartame (ASP), a sweetener commonly found in diet soft drinks, could have a negative effect on weight-loss efforts and metabolic syndrome.

New calculations from Cancer Research UK indicate that young people in the UK are consuming high amounts of sugary drinks, with teenagers drinking double the amount than that of children.

Researchers from the United States have found a link between shorter sleep duration and consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB).

Increases in body mass index (BMI) over a 15 year period can raise the risk of obesity-related cancers in later life a new study has found.

The average sugar content of carbonated sugar sweetened beverages (fizzy drinks) is higher than an adult’s daily recommended sugar content researchers in the United Kingdom (UK) have found.

The "no fry zones" amendment has been accepted in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2016 – 2022. Councillors voted at a meeting on Monday, with 25 councillors supporting the plan and only 3 rejecting the plan.

Does working evenings, nights and weekends sound familiar? Are you skipping meals and losing sleep? This is the case for many workers as the traditional nine to five becomes a thing of the past, with around 15% of the workforce now working shifts.

Today the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) released a report on its annual salt monitoring programme. This programme is in place since 2003 and encourages the food industry to gradually and voluntarily reduce the salt content of processed foods.

Missing out on sleep can increase calorie intake according to researchers in the United Kingdom. People who were deprived of sleep consumed extra calories on the days they did not have enough sleep.

A recent report published last week in the Irish Journal of Medical Science shows the vitamin D status of adults living in Dublin city and the surrounding areas.

Doctors that screen for obesity and spend 30 seconds telling patients about interventions to lose weight have an opportunity to help reduce obesity levels.

Yesterday Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Minister of State at the Department of Health launched the Summary Report of the Healthy Ireland Survey 2016.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that meal regularity is beneficial for weight management.

A study carried out by researchers from the University of Cambridge investigates the effects of the gene known as melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R) on fat and sugar preference. It was found that those deficient in MC4R have an increased preference for high fat food and a decreased preference for high sugar food.

The World Health Organization have recently released the “Women’s health and well-being in Europe: beyond the mortality advantage” report. The report examines the impact of gender-based inequalities interacting with social, economic and environmental determinants.

Yesterday afternoon, the Government launched "A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025". With 1 in 4 children and 6 in 10 adults being overweight or obese, this ten-year plan aims at tackling the current overweight and obesity epidemic in Ireland.

The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey results from years 5 and 6 (2012/13 – 2013/14) have recently been published.

Findings from the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) and the National Pre-school Nutrition Survey (NPNS) were recently presented in a workshop hosted by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA).

A scientific statement released by the American Heart Association has reviewed the relationship between added sugars and cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents, and suggests that children consume less than 25g of added sugars a day.

Watching your weight can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five daily hacks that are so easy, you’ll hardly notice....

Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland released a report highlighting that  daily salt intake is almost 50% higher than recommended.   

The World Cancer Research Fund has released a report looking at which factors increase and decrease the risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund have created a summary report of global evidence on cancer prevention.

A recent briefing paper written by UK researchers has reviewed the worldwide evidence on energy drinks and their impact on health, and suggests possible measures for local and national authorities in the UK.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition have launched a report on their recommendations for vitamin D in the UK population.  

The new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth encourage children and youth to “Sweat, Step, Sleep and Sit”.

This report was developed to provide a European overview on existing national recommendations on nutrition, physical activity and weight gain during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as infant and young child nutrition recommendations and supportive measures. 

Excessive drinking isn’t good for us, we all know that at this stage. But do you really know how much it can affect your weight?

The latest edition of the Global Nutrition Report has been released. This acts as report card on the world's nutrition - globally, regionally, and country by country - and on efforts to improve it. 

More than one in ten men and one in seven women across the globe are now obese, according to researchers led be the Imperial College London and published in the Lancet. 

The International Food Policy Research Institute have released the 2016 Global Food Policy Report.

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey assessment of dietary sodium in adults aged 19 to 64 years in England, 2014 was  published by Public Health England this morning.

Public Health England have released new Eatwell Guidelines for 2016.

A major new study has found that introducing allergenic foods to the infant diet from three months of age may be effective in food allergy prevention.

Men who follow a vegan diet based on vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits may have a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer according to research funded by the World Cancer Research Fund.

An extensive study conducted by the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in Canada has developed a report outlining a route to a leaner, healthier future.

Following his time as an Operation Transformation leader over four years ago Killian Byrne has continued his weight loss and built a considerable running and triathlon CV. Read Killian's story to see how he has progressed since taking part in Operation Transformation...

The European Parliament has halted the European Commission’s plan to allow baby food to contained up to three times more sugar than is recommended by the World Health Organization. 

The Commission on Ending Childhood obesity presented its final report to the World Health Organization today. The report looks to address the high levels of childhood obesity and overweight globally.

The Government has today launched Ireland's first ever national Physical Activity Plan which aims to get at least half a million more Irish people taking regular exercise within ten years.

New dietary guidelines for America were recently released prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to look at the most recent nutrition surveys available to determine what extent the guidelines have been adhered to in recent years.

A national survey of school children’s health behaviour was launched today.

Public Health England Obesity Knowledge and Intelligence team has published updated information on maternal obesity, including its prevalence, effect on outcomes and implications for healthcare services. 

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World Obesity have announced a new learning module on Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have published the 2014/15 Health Survey for Northern Ireland.

Eating a typical Indian takeaway meal of a starter, main course and pilau rice can contain far more calories than an adult's total daily requirements.

Public Health England have compiled up to date information on child and adult weight status in the UK.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, have revealed there is sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer. 

A summary of the findings from the Healthy Ireland Survey 2015 have been released by the Department of Health.

According to the Cork Children’s Lifestyle Study young children who consume sugar-sweetened drinks are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese.

This Cochrane review provides the most conclusive evidence to date that acting to reduce the size, availability and appeal of larger-sized portions, packages and tableware has potential to reduce the quantities of food that people select and consume by meaningful amounts.

U.S. behavioural science guru, Prof. Brian Wansink, was in Dublin last week to talk about how we could design our world to encourage healthier eating. He had some very ‘do-able’ ideas for how we eat at home. Score yourself out of ten to see what you could change....

The World Health Organisation launched their physical activity strategy for 2016 - 2025 this week.

The British Medical Journal this week highlighted some papers in the area of trans fats.

The Global Nutrition Report was released this week an reported that one in three members of the global population is malnourished, and the problem exists in every country. 

The World Health Organisation has released an infographic looking at how many of the 53 WHO member countries in Europe are achieving nutrition goals.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (UK) have released new recommendations on carbohydrates and health.

In this blog post, our CEO Ray Dolan explains why we are starting a campaign to raise awareness that women who are sexually active and could become pregnant should take a folic acid supplement daily. 

The British Medical Association have released a report setting out the measures needed to help promote healthier diets among children and young people.

Outcomes for the period 2015-2019 to support implementation of A Fitter Future for All 2012-2022, the strategy for preventing and addressing overweight and obesity in Northern Ireland, were released recently.

More than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration

New study reveals low-income households need to spend ¼ of weekly income to eat healthily. 

Results from a pilot in Northern Ireland looking at the cost of healthy food basket have just been released.

Following her time as a leader on Operation Transfromation 2015 Veronica Horgan has accomplished her personal goals and has overcome physical and mental barriers. Read Veronica's story to see how she has progressed since the show ended... 

Today, World Cancer Research Fund International has launched a policy brief to help reduce the amount of sugar consumed worldwide. 

A new study has found the cost of eating healthy foods has soared 91% while the cost of high-calorie processed foods has fallen.

Europe will face an obesity crisis of enormous proportions by 2030, according to latest projections released by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO) at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Prague, Czech Republic

Latest NICE guidance advises that by taking small practical steps such as walking more, limiting TV and other screen time, eating more healthily, avoiding sugary drinks and drinking less alcohol we can help maintain a healthy weight or prevent excess weight gain.

Eating peanuts at a young age, not avoiding them, may be key to avoiding peanut allergy.

Consumers regard portion sizes as being relevant only to those dieting, more important to women and not an issue for men or younger adults, a new report from safefood published today reveals.  

Euromonitor have launched a new database which tracks daily calorie intakes in 54 countries. It looks at the total amount of nutrients purchased per-person per day through packaged food and soft drinks products. Fresh produce, meats and fish are not currently monitored.

An Action on Sugar survey has found that many cereals still contain a high amount of free sugars.

The European Food Safety Authority have released a scientific opinion on the necessary content of total diet replacement products for weight loss. 

Public Health England have released an up to date slide set describing childhood obesity in the UK

Public Health England have released an up to date slide set describing childhood obesity in the UK.

Public Health England has recently published two new leaflets, Vitamin D: Information for healthcare professionals and Vitamin D: All you need to know, to raise awareness of current government advice on vitamin D and the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

A Spanish study has found that fiber intake and fruit consumption are associated with a lower risk of death.

The Global Nutrition Report 2014 by the International Food Policy Research Institute has been released.

The evaluation of the Positive Parenting Programme implemented in Longford and Westmeath is now available.

The Rudd Centre for Food Policy and Obesity has released a report looking at the marketing of sugary drinks to children and adolescents.

Global figures have shown that nearly four in every 100 new cancers in adults each year are attributable to high body mass index (BMI).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have released new guidelines regarding the management of obesity in children, young people and adults.

Pre-school children as young as three are being presented with more than 700 television adverts for unhealthy food each year in Northern Ireland and over 1,000 in the Republic of Ireland.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) today published the findings of its Health Survey Northern Ireland 2013/14 Report.

Today, World Cancer Research Fund International has launched a new report which has found strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer. 

New research from the Republic of Ireland suggests that childhood obesity rates have stabilised.

New research by the University of Campbridge has shown that eating healthily can cost three times as much as consuming unhealthy food - and this price gap is widening.

The European Commission have published a report looking at the nutrition related content of school food policies across Europe.

The Institute of Public Health have released a report showing that around 11,000 three-year olds in Ireland have at least one serious long-standing health condition.

As adults we know that when temptation knocks, it can take a lot of will power not to let it in. It’s the same for our children.

This week we are launching, ‘let’s say no’ to treat foods, the latest phase in our campaign to reduce childhood obesity. Why?

New research on relationships between the portion sizes of a range of foods commonly consumed by Irish children and adolescents and key indicators of dietary quality on the days they were consumed.

Researchers from the UK are calling for sugar consumption to be reduced to no more than 3% of total energy intake to help prevent dental caries and tooth erosion.

A recent review by researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, have found that the impact of current initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable consumption is only low to modest.

Public Health England have compiled up-to-date key information and data about obesity and its determinants for the UK. These include information on weight, socioeconomic status, diet and physical activity in both adults and children. 

A high body-mass index increases the risk of developing 10 of the most common cancers according to the largest study of its kind involving over 5 million adults from the UK. 

Three new pieces of research were published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week looking at the link between salt in our diet and health.

The paper provides an overview of obesity and type 2 diabetes among adults, describing the epidemiology of each disorder, how the 2 conditions are linked and why they present a major public health challenge.

Nutrient claims made on food products in the United States are currently misleading.

One study has shown that the average weight gain on holiday is about 5lb. But weight gain isn’t an inevitable result of your holiday. So how can you avoid it?

Danah Walsh got in touch recently to share her inspiring Operation Transformation journey with us. The positive response was incredible. As a result Danah has shared her tips on how she got the motivation to transform her life.

A broad range of foods in a child’s first year of life may help to prevent the development of allergic diseases.

Public Health England (PHE) has just published its 'Sugar Reduction: Responding to the Challenge' paper.

Today the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) published their draft report 'Carbohydrates and Health for public consultation'. 

New research investigating public attitudes to obesity-targeted policies reveals that child-related interventions are the most strongly favoured.

The Irish Heart Foundation is calling for a 20% tax on sugary drinks in the budget.

Research from the US has reported that eating a lot of red meat in early adult life may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. 

Research conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) among over 13,100 school children across the UK, shows that more than half of secondary school children believe that carbohydrate is more calorific than fat.

Ireland's first report card on physical activity in children and youth has just been released. The report card is a comprehensive assessment of the current state of physical activity among children and youth in Ireland and overall received a 'D minus'.

New research from the UK and sponsored by the World Health organisation has shown that that children greatly benefit from outside play with friends. Being outdoors with friends equated to an extra 17 minutes per hour of physical activity. 

This new report combines data on nutrition and diet for a sample of the UK population for the years 2008 – 2012. 

The Food Safety Authority has developed a new online calorie calculator to enable food businesses to calculate the calorie content of the meals they serve.

Eating just one daily serving of beans, chickpeas, lentils or peas could significantly reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol and heart disease risk.

UK researchers have found that eating seven fruit and vegetable portions a day reduces a person’s risk of dying of cancer by 25% and of heart disease by 31%. 

Results from the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) report ‘Health Survey Northern Ireland 2012/13’ have just been released.

An American study has reported that eating too much protein could be bad for middle-aged people. This study included 6,381 adults aged 50 and over from NHANES III – a nationally representative U.S. study.

Results from the Cork Children’s Lifestyle Study (CCLaS) which investigated the wellbeing, diet and exercise levels of Cork children between April 2012 and June 2013 have just been released.

While most post-primary schools have a healthy eating policy, the availability of ‘junk food’ remains a challenge, as does the level of physical education.

Researchers from the U.S. have found that people who consume higher levels of added sugar are at increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Research from Ireland has shown that food eaten in schools by children were higher in added sugar and lower in dietary fibre than food consumed before or after school.

This Swedish study found that adolescents who consumed poor breakfasts had a higher rate of metabolic syndrome 27 years later than those who ate substantial breakfasts

Italian researchers have found that active participation of children in practical food safety classes leads to a greater understanding of microorganisms and their impact on people and the environment. 

Researchers from the UK and US have found that adults have a positive health association with foods that were advertised with popular characters in their childhood. They view these products more positively in terms of nutrition when adults.

Was one of your New Year resolutions to change the way you eat and lose weight?  If you are starting to feel your resolve crumble don’t worry, there are some simple things you can do to stay on track.

Researchers from the UK and Netherlands after reviewing all available scientific literature concluded that there is no substantial evidence that wheat is involved in the development of obesity or other health conditions. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently re-evaluated aspartame and concluded that both it and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current intake levels. 

Financial support from the food industry might bias the conclusions of scientific research with regard sugar sweetened beverages and weight gain/obesity.

The thing is, the days barely get light, the temperatures are staying low and the duvet is just so darned cosy. And, while sleep is attractive in its own right, the most amazing thing is that it actually has huge health benefits.

Researchers from the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, in the UK, and the University of Alberta, in Canada, recently published the results of a study regarding the impact of nutrition labelling on food and energy intake.

The latest Key Findings from the Infant Cohort at 5-years was launched yesterday by Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs at the Growing Up in Ireland Annual Conference.

Researchers from Cornell University have shown that children will choose larger portions when given larger bowls, and they will also eat 52% more food. 

Researchers on the Island of Ireland have demonstrated the three-to five year olds have an understanding of what foods are healthy and which foods are not. 

The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has released a report looking at food allergens in Europe. 

The calories we consume and those we use being physically active may not be the only factors that influence the success of weight loss. Researchers from North America and Spain have concluded that timing of food intake may also influence the success of such a programme.

Public Health England have released a briefing paper highlighting the social and economic inequalities still seen in diet and physical activity in the UK.

The UK government has announced several food manufacturers have signed a ‘responsibility pledge’ which will see them decrease the saturated fat content in their products.

A recent UK study has revealed that the recession has caused many households to cut back on fresh fruit and vegetables and increase their intake of processed foods.

Eating dinner around the table as a family, instead of in front of the television could help combat obesity.

Children chose to eat more vegetables at a meal when two varieties are available compared tro when they are only offered one choice.

Lack of sleep has been shown to play a role in childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a worry to me and something I think about in several contexts – as a parent, a grandparent, as Chief Executive of a health promotion body, and even as a professional with a background in finance and health economics.

The British Heart Foundation has launched a report looking at how the portion sizes of many food products has increased substantially in the last 20 years. 

The European Union (EU) has ruled that food and drinks manufacturers can now include a ‘health claim’ that their sweetened products are ‘healthier’ than alternatives if they replace more than 30% of the sucrose or glucose content with fructose. 

New research funded by safefood has reported that although 75% of consumers know they should be eating five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, only 36% are actually doing so. 

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) Policy Group on Obesity are calling for a 20% tax on sugar sweetened beverages in the 2014 budget.

A 10% tax on soft drinks in Ireland is predicted to lead to a small reduction in obesity prevalence in adults.

Men who skip breakfast have a higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease.

Adding walnuts to the diet could help overweight individuals reduce their risk of diabetes and heart disease

Chewing your food more at meals could reduce appetite after eating. However it won’t lower food intake at next meal.

According to new research a bad night’s sleep could make it harder to resist temptation and lead to increased food purchasing.

Three servings of fruit per week reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, while drinking fruit juice could slightly increase the risk.

Media worldwide are today reporting about a study which found that obesity may be responsible for far more deaths than previous estimates of about 5%.

Research, published in the Journal Obesity, suggests that a high-calorie breakfast with reduced intake of calories at dinner is beneficial and might be a useful alternative for the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recorded a decline in the numbers of obese children aged between 2 and 4 years across 18 states in the US.

Researchers from University College Dublin and the Economic & Social Research Institute have conducted a study which found that maternal obesity after childbirth is associated with lower household income, smoking, lower breastfeeding duration, and earlier completion of full-time education.

It’s Men’s Health Week and for once men, you’re getting the attention you deserve!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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?"

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.

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

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.

‘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.

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

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

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.

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.

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”.

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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..

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

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

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.

New research from the University of Glasgow has shown that people in the UK are significantly misjudging the amount of sugar in drinks such as milkshakes, smoothies, energy drinks and fruit juices.

The findings from the HBSC Ireland survey 2010 have been published. The results showed that overall one in five children eats fruit and vegetables more than once a day.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are developing new guidelines on lifestyle management services for overweight and obese adults and children and young people.

Grow it Yourself (GIY) have launched Operation GIY Nation which aims to get families to grow food together.

The European Food Information Council have published a podcast interview with Professor Ron Maughan and Dr. Patrícia Padrão, both experts who participated in a symposium "Hydration: A Basic Aspect in Nutrition".

New research found that the more often people ate chocolate the lower their BMI. The research was conducted in 975 adults in California.

New research published in PlosOne has looked at the impact of restrictions on television food advertising to children in the UK.

New research published in the Irish Medical Journal shows the positive role of breastfeeding during the first 6 weeks.

New research of two prospective studies in the United States has looked at the diets and health of over 121,000 men and women over periods of up to 28 years, assessing their diets every four years and following the development of any heart problems or cancer.

New research published in the journal Human Reproduction has looked at the relation between dietary fats and quality of semen among men attending a fertility clinic.

The Framework for Preventing and Addressing Overweight and Obesity in Northern Ireland 2012-2022: ‘A Fitter Future for All’ has been launched by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS).

Growing Up in Ireland – The National Longitudinal Study of Children have published a new report from the study on how families matter for children’s social and emotional well-being.

A new report from the National Obesity Observatory (NOO) gives an overview of the current evidence on the relationship between obesity and alcohol.

A study undertaken by researchers at the University of Limerick has found that teenage girls spend an average of 19 hours a day either sitting or lying down.

The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) has published a report “Age, Income and Food in Ireland” which examines the demographic and socio-economic influences on food expenditure in older populations in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

A new all-Ireland web tool, the PANI (Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention) tool, has been made available on the Health Well website.

WHICH? have published the results of a survey of breakfast cereals. They found that 32 out of 50 cereals were high in sugar. In only two cases this was due to the fruit they contained; for the rest it was added sugar.

New research has shown that plate size and colour effect people’s eating behaviours. Researchers found that the larger the plate the bigger the portion size.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) have published findings of a survey examining consumer responses to the economic downturn. The research conducted as part of the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey was designed to assess at a high level how households have reacted to the recession.

In Ireland, we do not eat enough fruit and vegetables. Dr Eileen Gibney’s team at UCD showed that genetic variation plays a minor role in food choice whereas factors such as knowledge and attitudes about healthy eating have a large impact on food choice

A recent study has looked at childhood overweight and obesity in general practice. The results showed that among child-parent pairs, 15% of the children and 52% of parents were overweight/obese. 12% of the children were underweight.

The Cochrane Library recently published an updated review “Interventions for Preventing Obesity in Children”. The review included 55 studies.

The British Heart Foundation and Children’s Food Campaign have launched a report which examines the ways that food companies are marketing unhealthy foods and drinks to children online.

A new European Food Information Council (EUFIC) Review has looked at whether people in Europe get the amounts of fruit and vegetable which are recommended for good health.

A recent population based study carried out in Denmark looked at whether or not eating more fish might reduce cardiovascular disease risk in young women

The latest key findings from the Infant Cohort at 3 years in the Growing Up in Ireland study were launched yesterday.

Preliminary results from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2010 in Ireland were published yesterday. The results showed that the at risk of poverty rate grew from 14.1% in 2009 to 15.8% in 2010.

Households Below Average Income in Northern Ireland (HBAI, NI) 2009/10 has been published by the Department for Social Development NI. The data used in the report was taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) 2009/10 which was also published today.

A new EU Health Literacy Survey has found that four out of ten people in Ireland have difficulty understanding information about health.

This report launched by The European Heart Network (EHN) is the result of two years of collaborative research involving a larger number of European universities and experts.

The British Medical Journal has reported that the UK government has disbanded its expert advisory group on obesity.

Today a report was launched by Sport Northern Ireland providing a complete picture of adult participation in sport and physical activity across Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have presented the first results from the 2010/11 Health Survey NI with a sample size of 4085 individuals. The survey provides information on a range of health related matters such as general health, mental health, physical activity, diet and nutrition and obesity.

A recent study conducted with 101 women in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin has found that while the majority of women thought they had a healthy diet, less than half met the recommended guidelines for each individual food group.

New research published in the British Medical Journal has investigated the association between intake of dietary fibre and wholegrains and risk of colorectal cancer. The study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 prospective observational studies.

Growing up in Ireland - National Longitudinal Study of Children, have published a new report on overweight and obesity among 9 year old children in Ireland. Findings showed that  1 in 4 children were carrying excess weight - 19% were overweight and 7% obese.

The European Men’s Health Forum (EMHF) has published its response to the EU report ‘The State of Men’s Health in Europe’. This report highlighted how the health of European men is a serious concern.

New research has looked at the associations between age, sex and BMI at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The study involved analysing data from 51,920 men and 43,137 women included in a diabetes register in Scotland.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have reported a reduction in salt intake in adults from food (not including salt added while cooking or at the table).

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) supplementary report on blood analytes for years 2008/09 and 2009/10 have been published.

A new study by Harvard School of Public Health found that women who ate more food containing Trans fats, such as fried foods and baked goods, gave birth to larger babies. The study involved 1,400 pregnant women in Boston...

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. To find out what is happening in your area go to Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health for events in Northern Ireland and Mental Health Ireland for events in Republic of Ireland. 

Some people choose to skip breakfast to help them lose weight. The National Obesity Observatory has looked at the evidence around the role of breakfast in maintaining a healthy weight.

The new Get Ireland Active website was launched on Wednesday October 5th 2011. The aim of the website is to encourage people to become more physically active by creating awareness of the opportunities for physical activity at local, regional and national levels in the Republic of Ireland....

Key findings from the Growing Up in Ireland qualitative study were recently published. The report summarised the findings of the in-depth study with nine-year-old children and their parents in 120 families selected from the 8,570 who had participated in the quantitative survey and were subsequently interviewed about their views and experiences.....

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 ...

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...

A new study has estimated the impact of watching TV on life expectancy. Researchers used data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study and mode...

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at whether the calorie intake of individuals could be reduced by replacing some foods in a meal with hidden pureed vegetables.

The National Children’s Food Survey (NCFS) was carried out by nutritional scientists at University College Cork and University College Dublin (www.iuna.net) in 2005. Following the launch of the prelim...

New research from the Republic of Ireland, recently published in the Irish Medical Journal, has examined maternal and infant nutritional supplement use. The study found that less than 50% of the sampl...

The Nutrition and Health Foundation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland have launched a new initiative called ‘Kids Size me’. The initiative aims to ensure children have access to healthier foo...

Findings for the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) headline results from years 1 and 2 combined (2008/09 – 2009/10) have been published. The findings show that the overall picture of the diet.

The European Food Information Council and food organisations worldwide have produced a ‘Global Update on Nutrition labelling’ which provides a comprehensive overview of the state of play on nutrition labelling.

Cancer Research UK have reported on the findings of new research published in the British Journal of Cancer which found that increasing weight is the biggest factor affecting the level of sex hormones that increase breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women.

Many media sources have reported today on research which looked at the long term consequences of early fruit and vegetable feeding practices in the UK.

The four UK Chief Medical Officers have published new Physical Activity Guidelines covering early years (under 5s), children and young people, adults and older adults.

New EU food labelling rules were approved by MEPs yesterday. Further information is available from the European Parliament website.

New research which was conducted at University College Dublin has shown low dietary intakes of vitamin D in pregnant women.

The National Obesity Observatory has launched ‘A Simple Guide to Classifying Body Mass Index in Children’.

The most recent Perinatal Statistics Report (2009) was launched today by the ESRI. The report showed that 45% of babies were exclusively breastfed at discharge from hospital, compared to 44% in 2005.

NHS Choices have published “Miracle Foods: Myths and the Media” which analyses health stories that make the news, providing an unbiased and evidence-based analysis of the stories.

A summary of the State of Men’s Health Report was launched last week. The study compared men's health status both across and within EU Countries.

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 ...

The United States Department of Agriculture have launched the myplate.gov icon to help consumers make healthier choices.

A report on the updated evidence on food, nutrition, physical activity, and colorectal cancer, prepared by the Continuous Update Progress (CUP) team at Imperial College London, has been published.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently updating the dietary reference values (DRVs) published in 1993. These will provide comprehensive nutrition guidelines.

New research from Yale University suggests that people's state of mind may influence how physically satisfied they feel after a meal and how likely they are to still feel hungry and consume additional...

The next deadline for applications for the Nutrition Exchange Programme is 15 July, 2011. Further information about the programme is available on the safefood website.

Tickled pink about milk.

A new research report ‘Prolonged Bottle Use and Obesity at 5.5 Years of Age in US Children’ used recent data from a cohort study of US children born in 2001 to examine the association between bottle u...

Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study (EPIC) published today found that about 10% of total cancer in men and 3% in women could be attributed to current an...

The next deadline for applications for the Nutrition Exchange Programme is 15 May, 2011. Further information about the programme is available on the safefood website.

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...

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has reviewed the role of iron in human nutrition and has published a new report “Iron and Health” which is available on the SACN website.

Operation Transformation, which was sponsored by safefood, has come to an end for another year. safefood are encouraging people to continue their transformation for good by logging on to weigh2live,...

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. ...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...