CHILDHOOD obesity will be linked to 30,000 premature deaths in Northern Ireland and cost the economy £2.2 billion, researchers have claimed.
An event hosted by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland in Belfast yesterday presented new findings on the need to tackle the crisis.
With almost a quarter of primary one schoolchildren in the north being classed obese or overweight, experts examined the lifetime impact and cost.
Kevin Balanda from the Institute said that of the children alive in the north in 2015, more than 30,000 are expected to die early as a result of their weight problems.
The majority of the estimated £2.2 billion lost to the economy related to lost productivity in the workplace - as a result of premature deaths and abseeteeism. Medical and healthcare costs accounted for more than a quarter of the bill.
Mr Balanda said: "Obesity is a significant public health issue on the island of Ireland. The lifetime burden of childhood obesity is huge and, if unaddressed, will pose a burden for future generations, the economy and our healthcare system. The research suggests that modest changes in the average childhood BMI will result in substantial savings."
Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden, of the Open University, warned of the " subtle and sophisticated" marketing techniques that food companies use to target children.
"Children are exposed to high fat, salt and sugar foods and drinks advertising on a daily basis. Strong efforts around regulation and policy changes are needed if we are to protect children's long-term health...Children are ill equipped to deal with sophisticated marketing techniques and it is our responsibility to protect them."
