The solutions proposed by the Irish authorities against childhood obesity represent a classic case of overshooting: hitting a fly with a cannon. To stem a phenomenon that in Ireland affects about 26% of children 9 years old, the arsenal fielded by the Ministers of Health and Education, in fact, likely to be as impressive as ineffective. The highlight is the closing of the places where are sold sweets and fried foods near to schools, parks and sports facilities. But beyond the “reclamation” of these areas, there is also the introduction of taxes on sugary and fatty foods and a ban on advertising them. Those efforts are likely to represent only a decoy. Because the truth is that children’s eating habits reflect those of parents. In short, obesity is closely linked to education, social class, good or bad examples. The rest comes later.
On the inside: