Government to tackle obesity epidemic

By Angela Gregory health reporter

Within a decade nearly one in three New Zealanders could be medically obese unless lifestyles and eating habits dramatically improve.

The Government yesterday launched a strategy to tackle the problem, which is costing the country millions of dollars a year in associated health costs.

Ministry of Health figures show that 35 per cent of New Zealand adults are overweight and 17 per cent are obese, with the prevalence of obesity increasing.

Between 1989 and 1997 adult obesity increased by 55 per cent and is projected to increase by a further 70 per cent by 2011.

It has been estimated that by 2011 approximately 29 per cent of the adult population may be obese.

Health Minister Annette King launched the national strategy yesterday to curb the rising number of New Zealanders dying prematurely and becoming sick from obesity-related illness, physical inactivity and poor nutrition.

"We're facing epidemics of obesity and diabetes. A third of New Zealand adults do not get enough physical activity to benefit their health, nearly four in 10 are overweight, and by 2011 it is predicted that three in 10 adults will be obese."

The warnings come as a report commissioned by the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation recommends that people should get no more than 10 per cent of their calories from sugar.

Overseas experts say the advice is possibly the boldest to date on sugar in the diet.

Ms King said many of New Zealand's most serious diseases and health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type-two diabetes and some cancers, were closely associated with inactivity, poor nutrition and obesity.

The number of people diagnosed with type-two diabetes, currently 160,000, was rising sharply, particularly among Maori and Pacific people.

Ms King said the direct cost of obesity to the health sector was estimated several years ago at $135 million a year and treatment costs of diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease were unsustainable.

Preventive measures were urgently required to reduce the spiralling health and disability costs and rates of poor health.

Ms King said the Healthy Eating-Healthy Action strategy would encourage future funding decisions to achieve reductions in obesity, improve nutrition and increase physical activity.

It would provide directions to help guide an advisory group, to be co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health, in developing a plan of action.

"There are no quick answers to persuading people to change their lifestyles, but this strategy doesn't just focus on changing personal behaviour. It signals major changes that are needed to reduce social and physical environmental barriers to eating well, being physically active and achieving a healthy weight."

Ms King said innovative and shared solutions were needed.

"It calls on a range of sectors, such as transport, local government, district health boards, education, and food, fitness and weight-loss industries to work together."

Community programmes could involve local government and transport sector initiatives to encourage walking, cycling and alternatives to cars, and promoting the importance of folate for women of child-bearing age.

School policies should ensure healthy food and drinks were available and programmes provided for poorly nourished children, such as breakfasts in schools in areas of need.

A study of 2273 Auckland schoolchildren, aged from 5 to 10.9 years, had found 14.3 per cent were obese.

ALARMING STATISTICS

The problem

* Premature deaths due to inactivity account for about 2600 deaths a year - 8 per cent of all deaths.

* Only 40 per cent of adults are regularly active.

* Physical activity declines after age 16-17, particularly among young women.

* Less than one-sixth eat the recommended servings of breads and cereals.

Beating obesity

* Be active every day for at least 30 minutes.

* An estimated 800 lives a year would be saved if everyone ate five servings of vegetables and fruit a day.

* Eat less fatty, salty and sugary foods.

* Fully breastfeed infants for at least six months.