The Irish government has promised €3 million in funding to tackle obesity next year.
Sean Power, junior health minister, said that a National Nutrition Policy for the next 10 years will be published in 2006.
The €3m funding would be put towards a strategy to promote healthy eating and regular exercise among under-18s, while also looking to reduce food poverty.
A national campaign, called Take 5 Steps to a Healthier You was also launched, and will run until November 30.
It urges children to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and take regular exercise several times a week.
Nationwide activities will include the distribution of leaflets and posters to schools, workplaces and health professionals.
The need for the Irish campaign is supported by recent research by the Health Promotion Unit, which has shown that young people are well informed about the dangers of obesity but fail to eat healthy food.
