Chasing bucks just doesn't measure up in obesity battle

Prize-winning fitness trainer Leslie Tuilaepa is putting his South Auckland community first, tackling obesity rather than chasing more money.

The 25-year-old, who works at the Manurewa Aquatic Centre, beat 500 other nominees to win the New Zealand gym instructor of the year title at the Fitness Life Awards.

With his credentials and growing credibility in the fitness industry, it might have been tempting to become a personal trainer for corporate clients, where the right experience and recognised qualifications can bring in $50 to $90 an hour.

But Mr Tuilaepa says he wants to play his part in combating the rising obesity and inactivity problem that affects Counties Manukau's predominantly Pacific Island and Maori communities.

"Many of our people here are obese and suffer problems like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure but we don't have to have those things in our community.

"A lot of Polynesian people think big is beautiful but you don't have to be big to be beautiful."

Ministry of Health research shows 43 per cent of the Pacific Island population and 28.3 per cent of Maori are obese. The 2002 National Children's Nutrition survey found 62 per cent of Pacific children and 41 per cent of Maori youngsters were overweight or obese, compared with 24 per cent of other children.

To fight the problem, Mr Tuilaepa and other gym staff work with local doctors who refer their patients to them in a programme called the "Green Prescription".

"We have a special group on Thursdays - doctors tell people to go to the gym and we give them introductory classes for $2," he said.

It is proving a hit with the locals and some of Mr Tuilaepa's previous clients at other places have also jumped on board as he tries to change perceptions of the gym as a place for the buffed and the beautiful.

"A lot of people think gyms are full of bodybuilders and slim people but I've brought people from Manukau, Mangere, Papatoetoe and they're loving it.

"If they can get into it and we can change their idea of what it's all about, then that's excellent."

Co-worker and friend Ritua Petero says Mr Tuilaepa's affable nature and rapport with "everyone who walks in here" is a winner.

"I think he feels he can make quite a difference in this area more than what he could if he went into town and you can see the satisfaction he gets from helping people and seeing them improve."

Mr Tuilaepa is a man on a mission.

"I think a lot of us could go and work at the big gyms in the city but the reason we don't is there's no real incentive.

"My motivation is here - it always has been because I can see a lot of potential out here. I saw our gym as being right up there and we push the fact that we're from the south."