NZ households 'spending more on sweets than fruit'

New Zealand households are spending more on sugary snacks than on fresh fruit, a new report says.

The Food and Nutrition Monitoring Report shows the average household spent $6.50 a week on confectionary over the past year, compared with $5.90 on fresh fruit.

It also shows that fast-food chains and cafes spent $67 million on advertising, whereas only $6.2 million is spent advertising fruit and vegetables.

Health Minister Pete Hodgson, who released the annual report, said it showed how difficult improving the nutrition of New Zealand families was.

"There is growing awareness that improving the nutrition of New Zealand families is one of our most pressing public health challenges," Mr Hodgson said.

"This report underlines the urgency surrounding that task, but also shows how difficult it will be to make significant improvements."

New Zealanders' diets had changed over the past two decades, with a higher intake of convenience and fast-food.

At the same time advertising of unhealthy foods had increased.

"While it's a mistake to link these factors alone to the alarming increase in obesity in this country, there can be no doubt that dramatic changes in diet need to be secured if we are to have any success in fighting the obesity epidemic."

Last month the Government launched a $67 million four-year campaign aimed at lifting physical activity and slashing New Zealand's growing obesity rates, targeting schools in particular.

Mr Hodgson said a key element of the campaign, dubbed "Mission-On" would see the Health Ministry working with the food industry and advertisers on ways to curb the advertising of unhealthy food to children.

"New Zealand's food industry has demonstrated a real commitment to improving the health of New Zealand families, but it's clear that more progress is needed."

The Food and Nutrition Monitoring Report is a collation of available information from a variety of sources rather than fresh research.

- NZPA