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| Title: | Recommendations for a food and nutrition policy for Ireland 1995 |
| Authors: | Nutrition Advisory Group |
| Publisher: | Government of Ireland |
| Issue Date: | 1995 |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10147/251935 |
| Language: | en |
| Description: | We are fortunate in Ireland in 1995, as we commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the Great Famine, to enjoy a standard of living which should
make it possible for all our people to have access to sufficient food. A diet
which includes a wide variety of food can promote health and wellbeing, as
well as providing pleasure and enjoyment.
Ireland has a high death rate from diseases which are associated with modern
western lifestyles. Diet is one factor leading to these diseases, but smoking,
alcohol. activity and other aspects of lifestyle are also important. There have
been improvements in recent years, with declines in tobacco consumption and
some changes in eating patterns. There has been a decline in death rates from
lung cancer in young men and reductions in deaths from heart disease and
stroke in men and women in the younger age groups. Nevertheless, life
expectancy in middle age in Irish men and women continues to compare
unfavourably with that in other developed countries.
Economic well being is probably the most important determinant of the health
of any population. The agriculture and food sectors are a major contributor to
the Irish economy providing income, directly and indirectly, to many of our
people. We can take pride in producing fresh. wholesome food in a clean and
unpolluted environment. However, our agriculture and food sectors are heavily
dependent on the continuing markets for our meat and dairy produce. A
substantial pro portion of our other food requirements are imported,
particularly cereals, vegetables and fruit.
It is the role of government to ensure access to a range of foodstuffs by the
population and particularly by vulnerable groups. Given the high prevalence of
nutrition-related diseases in Ireland and the increasing consumer awareness of
health issues, it is vital that the Irish food industry be encouraged and
supported to produce a greater range of foods, to meet the nutrition
requirements of our people. This is quite compatible with the continued
expansion and development of the sector, given t hat nutrition and health
issues are receiving increasing attention in many of the countries with which
we do business.
The Nutrition Advisory Group is not advocating radical changes in the national
diet. Rather it is proposed t hat there should be a continuation of current
trends, with a gradual reduction in the quantity of fat and a modest alteration
in the balance of fats consumed, and increased consumption of carbohydrate
foods, vegetables, fruit and fish.
Many of the discussions of the Group concluded by recommending that further
research should be undertaken. Priority should be given to acquiring basic
information on current nutrient intakes by the population and by different
age, sex and social groups. Research is also required into the potential for
prevention of those nutrition-related diseases which have a high incidence in
Ireland. |
| Keywords: | POLICY FORMULATION
FOOD AND NUTRITION |
| Appears in Collections: | Government Reports
|
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