€8.6 Million Project Launches to Combat Obesity in Northern Ireland

UPDATE: A groundbreaking €8.6 million initiative has just launched to combat obesity in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. The CAWT Healthier Futures project aims to support 9,000 individuals by empowering them to improve their diet and increase physical activity.

The project, funded by the PEACEPLUS programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), targets two specific groups: adults and families in Northern Ireland, and children in the Republic. It will be rolled out across various border counties, including Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Armagh, and Down.

Recent data from the 2023/24 Health Survey reveals that approximately 66% of adults in Northern Ireland are either overweight or obese, a statistic mirrored in the Republic, where 60% of adults and over 20% of children and young people face similar challenges. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive health initiatives.

Guest speaker at the launch, Prof Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist and National Clinical Lead for Obesity at the HSE, emphasized the critical nature of addressing obesity as a significant public health challenge. He stated, “Lifestyle, including exercise and nutrition, is essential for weight management and the prevention of ill health.”

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The Healthier Futures Project will establish a new community-based obesity prevention and management service to tackle overweight and obesity in the border counties and Northern Ireland.”

Similarly, Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt highlighted the initiative’s focus on early intervention and community-based weight management programs, which aim to reduce health inequalities and improve population health.

The CAWT Healthier Futures project represents a unique opportunity to enhance existing obesity management programs through innovative approaches and shared best practices. It is designed to address significant health inequalities, particularly among disadvantaged groups, who exhibit higher rates of obesity.

Next Steps: As the project unfolds, officials will monitor its impact on communities and track improvements in health outcomes for children and families. The collaborative effort between health services and community partners is poised to deliver crucial support for those affected by obesity.

Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this important initiative progresses, with a clear aim to foster healthier lifestyles and reduce the rising obesity rates in the region.