INTRODUCTION
Obesity as a medical issue has mushroomed in recent years and has affected a huge chunk of global population. The concern towards the problem has increased significantly and so have the resources including websites, magazines etc. dedicated to the problem of Obesity.
The Obesity Hub, a sub website of hugely famous and admired website ‘The Health Well’ also caters to Obesity as the primary issue. It provides data, information on new policies and, news and research data primarily on and about Obesity. Developed by the INIsPHO team in the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH), it does a significant and commendable job in creating awareness among the people of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with respect to the problem of Obesity.
BODY
The site has a very clean and easy and readable User Interface, which definitely adds to the ultimate user experience by making information search easier and to the point. The site is regularly updated with latest news articles and expert opinions on Obesity, which is aimed at keeping the users of the site up to date with anything and everything related to Obesity, directly and indirectly. Latest resources, researches and bulletins are uploaded on the website regularly which helps not only the Medical Practitioners and Environmental Health Professionals associated to the field but also the policy makers to frame their policies and by students and patients to keep themselves abreast with the latest in the field.
All the data available on the website is stacked under six main tabs namely: Obesity Related Chronic Conditions, Obesity Community Profile, Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention Tool, Policy Consultations, Funding Opportunities and CAWT UP4IT Obesity Project.
Obesity usually leads to many other issues and that is what comes under the very first tab. Under Obesity Related Chronic Conditions, where health problems that could arise possibly due to Obesity are listed. The conditions are Chronic Airflow Obstruction, CHD, Diabetes, Hypertension, Stroke and Musculoskeletal Conditions are explained well in depth with their Epidemiology, Policy in Republic of Ireland and other estimates and forecasts and most importantly, the relation of the condition or disorder with Obesity. The information is indeed extensive and gives a holistic view on the various issue related to Obesity. Obesity Community Profiles lists facts, figures and data associated to Obesity per year and region wise in Ireland. This data is useful to measure the increase or decrease that has been made in Obesity in the country. The credible data helps policy framers a great deal in charting out the future strategies. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention Chart is a tool devised and developed primarily to help policy makers identify local, regional and national interventions which helps in clarification of objectives for the future. The site also lists initiatives like CAWT UP4IT projects, which are aimed at improving the health and well being of families and individuals (all sections of society) by focusing on proper nutrition and health activities.
CONCLUSION
The site is a complete package in itself with respect to Obesity and associated disorders in Ireland. It serves almost every possible section of society right from the avid readers who are fond of knowing more, the people suffering from various Obesity disorders, to the Medical Practitioners, Doctors and Policy framers. It offers detailed information about latest governmental and Non-Governmental campaigns, policies, medical bulletins and researches all in the field of Obesity. The website, in a nutshell, caters to each and every purpose it is intended for.
Bibliography
Obesity Hub, 2013. Welcome to Obesity Hub. [Online] Available at: < http://obesity.thehealthwell.info/> [Accessed 4 April 2013]
