Health risk of ignoring the advice

MOST people expect longer and healthier lives – but seem to ignore warnings about diet and exercise.

The Wellbeing of the Nation report from the Central Statistics Office is bound to raise a few eyebrows.

It revealed the average Irish person thinks they’ll live healthily or without a disability for more than 67 years.

But its contents are difficult to square with other studies that revealed almost two-thirds of people are classed as overweight or obese.

And the number of people aged 15 and over who take part in sport is falling while there is also a tendency for young people to engage in binge drinking.

Commuters are having to spend longer trying to get to and from work and crime is also a major worry for many people – with 5% reporting they had been victims.

The study also draws attention to the homelessness crisis which has worsened considerably since the survey was conducted.

While there are many positive aspects from the CSE report it also highlights others which could seriously impact on the future health and wellbeing of the nation.

A failure to invest in the dysfunctional health service and in a huge social house building programme could make life a lot less tolerable or even lead to social unrest in the coming years.