Weight of the Nation

The people of Ireland are hauling around a stunning 17,100 tons of excess flab, a new study has found.

By Robert Carry

According to research from probiotics specialists Yakult, the majority of Irish people are feeling grossly overweight and are unaware of the negative effect this is having on their gut health. The research, commissioned to mark Gut Week 2010 which runs from 23-29 August.

According to the survey, 71 per cent of Irish people feel that they are carrying too much weight, with the typical Irish adult feeling that they have a whopping 16 pounds to lose.

The figure translates to a total of 17,100 tons of excess fat which Irish people are carrying around – roughly the equivalent weight of 244,500 average sized men.

Worryingly, over a fifth of those surveyed are completely unaware of the negative effect this excess weight can have on their gut and digestive health.

Fat stored around the abdomen, the area where 82 per cent said they carried most of their excess weight, can lead to a number of health consequences. For one, the added pressure from fat stored around the belly can force food mixed with stomach acid up into the gullet, causing heartburn and in some cases, painful ulceration.

The research also revealed that men are less likely to feel overweight than their female counterparts, with 66 per cent feeling that they have weight to shed, in comparison with 75 per cent of women.

Interestingly, 80 per cent of those surveyed cited summer as the time of year that they feel most conscious about their weight. Over indulgence on holidays is seen as the main culprit, with BBQs and more frequent visits to beer gardens coming second and third respectively.

Gut Week

Dr Christian Jessen, medic and supporter of Gut Week 2010 said, “We all like to indulge from time to time but it can sometimes get out of control and it’s important to be aware of the effects.

“Carrying excess weight around the middle – especially inside the abdomen and around the vital organs – significantly increases your risks of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, acid reflux and other digestive problems.

“Exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are the most important ways of helping to shift that central fat and improving your overall health.”

Dietitian, Margaret O’Donoghue commented, “It is worrying to note that so many people surveyed were unaware that carrying excess weight has an adverse effect on their digestive system and their overall health.

“Making poor food choices is not only contributing to the nation’s weight problems, but is also contributing to digestive health issues such as constipation, which is often caused by low-fibre intake. Simple changes to your diet and the inclusion of exercise into your daily routine are the most effective ways of helping to shift that central fat and improving your overall health.”