11 April, 2008, published in The Star

How Taoiseach –in-weighing can shape up for the job

FATBOY SLIMS

AS BRIAN 'Biffo' Cowen prepares to take on the toughest job in Ireland, we look at what he has to do to shape up physically to meet the challenge.

ROBERT COX reports

A LEADING fitness expert has warned that the man who will lead Ireland from May 6 needs to shape up. Health fanatic Damien Maher, who hosts TV3's Inside and Out, was blunt in his assessment of the current Tanaiste - saying Brian Cowen could even be in danger of following the eating habits of a sumo wrestler. "Many busy people like politicians skip meals and eat a large meal at the end of the day," he said. "One big late meal is how they fatten up sumo wrestlers:' And he did not pull his punches when he looked at Mr Cowen as a role model

Risk

"He comes from a history of health ministers who don't look healthy, and it isn't a good message for kids," he said. Maher "Everybody has 168 hours in the week, and even a busy man like Brian needs to prioritise his health. "I recommend 30 minutes of exercise four days a week. "That's two hours out of 168. "If he can't do that he's kidding himself. "As the Minister for Finance, he knows about the value of investment, and that's what this is - investing in his health."

Damien recommended stabilising blood sugar levels by not skipping meals and by eating five smaller meals a day - each with protein and veg.

Mr Cowens estimated height and weight - 5ft l0in and 16 stone 7lb - registered 33.2 on a body mass index calculator on Web site irishhealth.com, which is rated as a "very severe risk'

"A man his height should be looking to be a lean 14 to 15 stone - that's his target weight," Damien said. And he had another warning for the pint-loving Mr Cowen. "He shouldn't be drinking, and if he's going to tipple he should have red wine - a glass, not a vineyard, " Damien said. "Of course he can go out for special occasions, just
not every day or every weekend."