The number of people experiencing food poverty in Ireland could fill Croke park five times over, a conference has heard.
According to the charity Healthy Food for All, almost half a million people in the country are affected by food poverty which is defined as the inability to afford or access healthy food. One in five Irish children goes to bed or school hungry because there is not enough food in the house. 13 per cent of children never have breakfast on weekdays.
Dr Miriam Owens, public health specialist at the Department of Health pointed to research which shows that socially disadvantaged household consume less balanced diets and suffer from higher rates of diet related chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said that social inequalities within Irish society have created a “health timebomb”.
According to the charity Healthy Food for All, almost half a million people in the country are affected by food poverty which is defined as the inability to afford or access healthy food. One in five Irish children goes to bed or school hungry because there is not enough food in the house. 13 per cent of children never have breakfast on weekdays.
Dr Miriam Owens, public health specialist at the Department of Health pointed to research which shows that socially disadvantaged household consume less balanced diets and suffer from higher rates of diet related chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said that social inequalities within Irish society have created a “health timebomb”.
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