“Mike Nesbitt is right to recognise the importance of tackling obesity, and we congratulate him on this decision”
Neil Johnston, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at NICHS was commenting following the announcement of the creation of a new Regional Obesity Managment Service.
“Obesity is a major cause of high blood pressure and high blood pressure is strongly associated with heart attacks and strokes. It is essential that we use every tool available to help people to address obesity.”
“300,000 people in Northern Ireland have been identified as having high blood pressure and 1 in 2 heart attacks are linked to high blood pressure. Obesity will be a contributory factor in many of those cases.
“As a charity we realise the complexity of onset and management of obesity and know that people need to be supported in seeking to address it. Medication will be appropriate for some people, and it is essential that people in Northern Ireland have access to the best available treatment.”
