When it comes to obesity, the HSE is largely ‘ignoring those who are currently affected' and has ‘abandoned any hope of dealing with this crisis', professionals working in this area have claimed.

The latest figures show that 37% of all adults in Ireland are overweight, 80% of those aged 50 or older are overweight or obese, and 19% of nine-year-olds are overweight, with 7% of these obese.

According to consultant endocrinologist, Prof Donal O'Shea, and UCD medical student, Mark O'Rahelly, as obesity is primarily a lifestyle problem, it can be ‘extremely difficult to treat', and even if treated successfully 'results can be close to impossible to maintain'.

They emphasised the important role healthcare professionals must play in promoting a healthy lifestyle to their patients, however they noted a lack of ‘combative strategies' by the HSE.

"The HSE has focused on preventing childhood obesity while for the most part ignoring those who are currently affected. There is no combative strategy in place for dealing with this problem. If anything, it seems the HSE has abandoned any hope of dealing with this crisis," they commented.

They pointed out that bariatric (weight loss) surgeries were cancelled in 2014, despite the fact that this is one of the few surgeries which saves money in the long-term and ‘has a cure rate for new onset type 2 diabetes in the region of 80%'.

As well as this, the information made available online by the HSE in relation to obesity is focused on childhood obesity.

"Making a search on ‘adult obesity HSE' doesn't provide information for patients wishing to tackle the problem on their own or simply looking for advice in regards to their weight," Prof O'Shea and Mr O'Rahelly said.

For this reason, they urged all professionals working in this area to ‘make a push towards promotion of a healthy lifestyle'.

They made their comments in the Irish journal, Professional Diabetes & Cardiology Review.