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Source: ONE News -
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An obesity expert says the topic has become boring for many people.
Jim Mann from the National Centre for Diabetes and Obesity Research said everyone has heard repeatedly about the obesity epidemic and while the message of eat less, eat better and exercise more remains relevant, the situation has been getting worse in most countries.
Fast food companies, health researchers, politicians and members of the public are meeting today to see what can be done to reduce New Zealand's alarming increase in obesity.
Organisers hope the symposium in Wellington will be one of the first steps towards addressing the issue.
Mann told Breakfast that his centre is particularly concerned about the complications arising from obesity such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
He said the focus today is on groups of people making relevant policies that will help to address the problem.
"We don't want people to think it's all about price or government policy," said Mann. "Other groups must participate...unless we do it across the board we're not really going to get anywhere."
He said the workplace and media can have a role but families can have a significant impact through decisions such as how many times a week do they eat junk food.
"Families make policies," he said.
A recent New Zealand health survey found one in four adults and one in 12 children are obese and speakers today have expressed the need for society as a whole to be responsible and not just the government.
"When you listen to the situation for our 10 year olds, and then the consequences for our 20 years olds, it's obvious that there is something that we can all do to help our young people maintain a healthy weight throughout life and reduce the risk of disease," Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said.
Fast food operator McDonald's has faced criticism over the impact of its products on people's diets but the company says it is promoting healthier choices.
"We introduced labelling on all our packaging for every single burger and product," spokesman Mark Hawthorne said, adding that some of the company's competitors would claim that is too tough to do.
Mann said the concept of the symposium is for groups to pick up some of the suggestions. He said they can then come back in a year and see if there has been progress.
