'Eat less, move more' now outdated, as new approach to tackle obesity emerges

The weight loss approach of ‘eat more, move less’ is thought to now be an outdated strategy of weight management, according to experts.

The Healthy Ireland Survey for 2022, commissioned by the Department of Health, found that 21.3% of the population of Ireland suffers from obesity.

The South East Technological University’s (SETU) inaugural ‘Understanding Obesity: Rethinking Diagnosis & Treatment’ conference aimed to objectively look at how “eat less, move more" is not the only solution for obesity.

The event was organised by SETU lecturer and former dietitian with Operation Transformation, Aoife Hearne, who said: “We need to go beyond BMI to explore new perspectives on understanding and managing obesity.

“Telling people who meet the clinical criteria for obesity to simply ‘eat less and move more’ is now considered to be an outdated approach.”

With guidelines moving away from obesity being a lifestyle illness, to recognising it as a chronic disease, there is much debate on how it should be treated and prevented. 

While exercise and nutrition are key components of obesity prevention, Ms Hearne continued: “There are numerous factors at play that cause obesity including genetic, hormonal, and the varying treatments available to treat this chronic disease. 

“Given what we know about obesity, people should be informed of all options available to them. We must follow the science,” she said.

Professor Donal O’Shea, National Clinical Lead for Obesity with the HSE, highlighted how there has been an “explosion” in obesity levels over the past 40 years. 

“Weight gain is 90% irreversible for 90% of the people. That is based on evidence,” Mr O’Shea said. 

Studies show that there are seven factors affecting weight gain and five of those are outside of the control of the individual, Mr O’Shea explained. 

“We now know there is a complex, genetic and environmental interaction that is protecting the body from weight loss and we have emerging treatments based on that understanding. 

“New medication is impacting this and the model of care for the treatment of obesity is being formalised to allow people access to surgery.”