Irish people are drinking more, becoming fatter and doing less exercise according to a major health study published today.
The National Health & Lifestyle Survey provides a damning assessment of the state of Irish health suggesting binge drinking among both sexes is continuing to rise as are the rates of overweight and obesity.
The report found that while people were smoking less, they were on average doing less exercise.
Commissioned by the Department of Health, the survey shows binge drinking among men has risen from 35 per cent to 41 per cent over the past four years. The percentage of woman who admitted to regular binge drinking rose from 12 to 16 per cent. Binge drinking describes those who have more than six drinks in a typical session.
The report, which surveyed more than 12,000 men, women and children, found one-third of men and almost a quarter of women consume more than the recommended weekly limit of alcohol.
Reported rates of overweight and obesity have increased in both men and women. The survey found that 34 per cent of Irish people are classified as overweight. Obesity levels rose from 11 per cent to 14 per cent in men while the percentage in women rose from 9 per cent to 12 per cent.
Rates of fried food consumption also showed a marked increase across all ages with particular high rates among younger men and women.
Our children's diet was also found to be deteriorating significantly with fruit and vegetable consumption among schoolchildren declining. The survey said reported fruit consumption among school-going children has declined by almost 50 per cent.
The percentage of those who reported doing some form of exercise on a regular occasion dropped to 51 per cent compared to 52 per cent in the last survey in 1998.
The only possible good news to be found in the report was that Irish people on average were smoking less. Overall 27 per cent of the adult population reported being a regular or occasional cigarette smoker compared with 31 per cent in 1998.
Drug use, especially cocaine and ecstasy consumption, showed a significant increase among both men and women.
