• There are more obese men than women in Ireland, unlike the US, where obese women outnumber men.
• Breastfed babies are far less likely to be obese. According to psychologists, it is not just the nutrition but also the bonding that occurs in the process that helps in ensuring emotional needs are met through relationships, rather than external objects like food and drink.
• The medical definition of obese is 12 stone 4lbs for a female of 5ft 4in in height. For a man of average height, it is 14 stone 10lbs.
• Stomach surgery is now available in Ireland free where appropriate to those attending the weight-loss clinic in Loughlinstown hospital.
• At private clinics in the UK and Belgium, the same surgery costs €22,000-€30,000.
• There are two types of surgery available: gastric banding and gastric bypass. Both will result in weight loss, but it is guaranteed with bypass surgery.
• For those with less weight to lose, gastric banding results in a reduction of 15-20 per cent of the initial starting weight.
• Gastric bypass will result in 30 per cent loss.