Ireland AM interviews a 44-stone housebound man in denial about his weight.

Thursday 30th, 10:31am

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Thursday 30th January, 2014.

Ireland AM interviews a 44-stone housebound man in denial about his weight.

Ireland AM puts obesity under the spotlight this morning interviewing 44-stone Ritchie Doyle from Bantry, County Cork.

Adamant that his size is due to fluid retention and not an unhealthy lifestyle, Ritchie refuses to listen to Sinead Desmond’s claims that he is in denial.

Ireland AM also spoke to health and fitness experts about tackling obesity and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook with #AMfightthefat

Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.

Housebound Ritchie Doyle appeared on Ireland AM this morning to discuss plans to turn his life around and tackle his obesity. Tipping the scales at 44 stone, Ritchie believes that his size is due to fluid retention and not an unhealthy lifestyle. He has been living a confined life in Bantry, Cork, where he spends most of his days in a small room due to his struggle with mobility.

The 44-year-old explained to Sinead Desmond that his diet could not be the cause as he eats relatively healthily – toast and cereal for breakfast, soup for lunch and a pasta bake, Spaghetti Bolognese or chicken/fish and vegetables for dinner.

When Sinead questioned his portion sizes, Ritchie insisted that although he has always been a big eater his cholesterol and blood sugar levels are completely normal. He said that the weight began to pile on in the last 15 years but prior to that he was a 34-inch waist, and he insists fluid retention is to blame.

Suggesting that Ritchie is in complete denial, Sinead asked if he was unhappy.

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s the way I am.

“I’m still the same person that I am whether I’m big or small. I’m still happy.”

Ritchie has now lost 12 stone since Christmas and hopes to lose more in the coming months.

Ritchie’s story was part of Ireland AM’s #AMfightthefat which also included interviews from Psychologist Allison Keating who took a look at the psychological issues surrounding obesity, students from Presentation College in Terenure who discussed their eating habits and Ireland AM’s nutritionist Sene Naoupu, who advised the transition year students on what foods they should be eating. Ireland AM's gadget expert Colin Baker showed viewers all the top fitness gadgets and Elverys Sports Store were also on hand to show viewers the latest gear fit for walking, going to the gym or attending a fitness class.

Dr. Donal O'Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist and Director of Loughlinstown Hospital's Weight Management Clinic, Dr Catherine Woods, Senior Lecturer of the DCU School of Health and Human Performance and Dr. John Devlin, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health were live in studio to give their expert opinion on obesity in Ireland, as well as Edwina St. Lawrence from the Kitchen in the Castle Cookery School at Howth Castle who showed viewers how to cook a healthy three course meal.

Ireland AM also spoke to 16-year-old Dylan Byrne who has lost five stone in one year. He explained how he managed to lose the weight and Ireland AM’s regular contributors joined forces for a fitness class with the help of fitness expert Seamus Crowe from District Health and Fitness in Co Galway.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook with #AMfightthefat

Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.

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ENDS

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

01 419 3329

Sharon McHugh

Head of Press & Publicity

087 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie

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