More than two out of three people are in favour of tighter regulation of fast food and drink to combat the child obesity crisis.

Medical specialist on obesity Prof Donal O'Shea, in a recent interview with irishhealth.com, warned that our obesity epidemic is now becoming a pandemic.

And a HSE study published this week showed that nearly one-in four children in Ireland is overweight or obese and obesity rates are not reducing or stabilising among disadvantaged children.

We asked our readers whether in light of the child obesity crisis, they supported tighter regulation by Government of fast food and drink, which would include restrictions on advertising and portion sizes, and fat and sugar taxes.

Forty-nine per cent said they would be strongly in favour of tighter regulation, while 19% said they were in favour, and 11 said they were opposed.

Eight per cent of respondents said they were strongly opposed to fast food/drink regulation, while 13% were undecided.

Health Minister James Reilly has made some efforts to combat the obesity crisis, with calorie counting on menus starting in some restaurants. The Minister's plan for a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, however, has yet to be approved at Cabinet level.

View the poll results and comments, and results of previous polls here

Expert warns obesity now a 'pandemic'