According to the National Taskforce on Obesity, more than 2,000 obesity-related deaths occur in Ireland each year. Hélène Hofman reports.
A report by the British government released last Friday predicts that, by 2010, one in every three Englishmen will be obese, and we are in danger of following suit.
A national survey of lifestyle, attitudes and nutrition conducted by Slán in 2003 found 47 per cent of people are obese or overweight in Ireland. Health and fitness experts say that although we lead significantly less active lifestyles than we should, it is never too late to start exercising.
"It's so important for all of us to exercise," says Dr Emer O'Reilly, GP at the Grafton Street Medical Practice in Dublin.
"A lot of my patients don't exercise. They have horrendous commutes and say they're just too tired when they get home. But it's essential, so I recommend doing something you enjoy and incorporating it into your daily routine - for example, getting off the bus a couple of stops early and walking the rest of the way, especially if you're on your way home and can afford to work up a bit of a sweat," she says.
According to the National Taskforce on Obesity, more than 2,000 obesity-related deaths occur in Ireland each year, making it - with smoking - one of the leading preventable causes of death.
"The single best indicator of how long you are going to live is your current level of fitness. Not your past level or your future level, but how fit you are now," says physician Dr Noel Caffrey, lecturer at Dublin City University and medical director of the ExWell health and sports medicine clinic.
He explains that, in addition to losing weight, increasing your level of physical activity can help in the prevention and treatment of a number of ailments, including certain cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses and some psychological illnesses.
"Apart from nutrition, exercise is one of the only things that can intervene in so many illnesses," he says.
"It also helps maintain your independence into old age for as long as possible.
"If you find you can't reach behind your back to tie your bra, you lack flexibility. If you can't get out of a chair, you lack muscle strength. These things are built up through exercise."
According to Caffrey, people should aim to exercise for about 40-60 minutes during the day, about five times a week.
"If you're active, it's difficult to snap out of it, but when you're inactive, it's hard to snap in," he says.
"Similarly, children are far more likely to be active if their parents are active and if they are encouraged to participate in sport from a young age."
Sean Sharkey, neuromuscular therapist for the Olympic Council of Ireland and director of the National Training Centre for exercise and health studies, says that - for those who are out of shape or have never exercised properly - it's important to start off slowly and pace yourself.
"We avoid using the word exercise because it puts people off, and talk about physical activity instead. Some people have had bad experiences with PE classes in school and it has reflected on their lives now," says Sharkey.
"With a quick screening and motivational interview with a personal trainer, they can draw up a tailored personal programme that's enjoyable."
People starting to exercise are advised to avoid high-impact sports and begin with lighter activity like walking, he says.
Brisk walking, according to Sharkey, is a full-body kinetic chain exercise, which benefits a range of muscles at once.
"People feel better about themselves, they feel more relaxed - these are the things that people hear but find difficult to believe if they haven't seen it for themselves.
Once people start exercising, you find it's those who never had time before who no longer have a problem finding time. And they are finding it easier to cope with their life in general."
Personal trainer and Pilates instructor Fidelma Conlon says the majority of her clients are trying to lose weight, but a fitness programme also contributes to lowered stress. "The biggest change in people who exercise is their self-esteem. People have more energy," she says.