This week it was announced by the European Commission that Ireland has the second highest rate of obesity in Europe with more than a quarter of the adult population in the Republic classified as obese. According to the World Health Organisation the fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

Over the past decade obesity rates have significantly risen worldwide and by some is considered a health epidemic as obesity has the potential to lead to chronic illnesses, poorer mental health, and a reduced quality of life. Obesity significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart diseases and certain cancers

Empeal previously has spoken to Fodhla Coogan who is a Senior Clinical Psychologist who works for the HSE. In this interview mental health and obesity was discussed. Fodghla raised some interesting points surrounding this topic including the statement that “you cannot separate your mental health from your physical health”.

Fodghla also discusses overeating and how it often results from people trying to deal with difficult emotions or stress, 

“Often people overeat to help cope with difficult emotions by directing anger onto yourself. Often in fact depression and obesity can go hand in hand”.

For those who relate to this Fodghla gave some insightful advice,

“It is important to be a detective towards your urges as from here you will be able to regulate your emotions. Instead of giving into urges think to yourself how you can soothe yourself in other ways”. 

This is all extremely insightful information towards the correlation between mental health and physical health. It is also extremely relevant in today’s times, and it is for this reason why Empeal is so committed to helping individuals on their health journey. Empeal is here to empower and supply people with the information and resources needed to improve their quality of life. Through encouraging our users to take part in fitness challenges and supporting them to eat nutritionally we have seen first-hand the improvement individuals can make in a short space of time.

Sources: World Health Organisation (2021) Obesity and Overweight, Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Eurostat (2021) Overweight and Obesity- BMI statistics, Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics

McCarthaigh (2021) Ireland now the Second Most Obese Country In EU, Available at: Ireland now second most obese country in EU - Independent.ie