The Nutrition & Health Foundation puts the consumer at the heart of its mission. It continues to conduct detailed attitudinal research to identify what information the public needs to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle. This information is then used to develop the NHF's projects and initiatives.
Since its establishment in 2005, the NHF have published 2 key pieces of research into consumer attitudes and behaviour; Motivational Aspects of Behavioural Change in 2007 and Health and Lifestyle Research 2005. Through conducting this research and co-funding other pieces of research, the NHF seeks to help consumers make better lifestyle choices.
In December 2008, Ms Mary Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Health Promotion and Food Safety,established an intersectoral group which comprises representatives of all stakeholders, including experts from Government Department and agencies, the food industry, and relevant NGOs to review the extent of implementation of the 93 recommendations set out in the 2005
‘Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity’.
The intersectoral report reflects significant progress made in the implementation of the 93 recommendations (with 91% undertaken in some form) of the 2005 Report of National Taskforce on Obesity but it can only be considered a work in progress. The recent SLAN 2007 Report indicates that 39% of the adult population is overweight and 25% are obese. Whilst the level of overweight has remained the same since the 2001 IUNA survey, obesity rates have risen from 18%. Currently, 64% of the population is either overweight or obese. Of particular concern, is the fact that over 300, 000 children are overweight or obese in Ireland and is expected to grow by 10,000 every year. Chronic health conditions associated with obesity will affect the next generation at a younger age.
A qualitative study of lifestyle counselling in general practice in Ireland - Family Practice 2009
14/12/2009 - There is limited information in Ireland on the attitudes of General Practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses to lifestyle counselling and the strategies or approaches they use. Furthermore, there is ...
Report of Intersectoral Group on Obesity
17/04/2009 - Ms Mary Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Health Promotion and Food Safety today, (17th April, 2009), launched a report of the ...
Motivational Aspects of Behavioural Change 2007
19/07/2007 - Women are motivated by appearance and men by advice from health professionals. In 2007, the NHF undertook research to better understand what the key triggers and barriers are to successful ...
Health and Lifestyle Research 2005
18/10/2005 - The majority of Irish people believe that we are less healthy than we were twenty years ago (49%) but we lack the time and the motivation to adopt healthier lifestyles. In 2005, the NHF conducted a ...