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Source: Reuters -
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Isn't it time we had a really serious discussion about our weight? The All Blacks and that seemingly elusive Rugby World Cup are currently the subject of endless newspaper articles, radio talkback calls and sports stories on television. Imagine what could happen if we spent that much time contemplating the health of Kiwi youngsters who'll never be fit, agile or healthy enough to be ABs of the future.
Surely it's time to get as serious about our appalling obesity statistics as so many Kiwis are about winning that highly sought after rugby prize in 2011. Any doubters should have a look at the latest OECD Health Care Data report. It rates New Zealand adults as the third fattest in the world. Our adult obesity rate of 26.5% sits behind Mexico (30%) and the United States (34.3%). The really depressing news is that our obesity rate keeps rising - up from 25% in 2003 and 18% in 1997.
In the past three decades, New Zealand adults have, on average, grown heavier by 8 kilograms. Children's weight has increased by 4 kilograms over the same time. In 2007, nearly 30% of New Zealand children were classified as overweight. In 2008, 8.3% of those aged between 5 and 14 were classified as obese.
Nutritional experts say interpretation is the key to really understanding these statistics. Reports on the OECD findings tended to generalise by lumping all New Zealanders together. It was widely reported that "we're all getting fatter." But that is not the reality of it.
Auckland University of Technology's Professor of Nutrition, Elaine Rush, says obesity is primarily a "poor people issue." She describes it as a "form of malnutrition" that is now prevalent among low-socio economic groups, including Pacific peoples and Maori. Obesity is now also documented as an inter-generational issue, with overweight mothers giving birth to overweight babies who grow into overweight children and parents.
How then to break such a complex cycle that poses a long-term problem of insurmountable proportions to our health system?
Interestingly, Professor Rush says targeting "parents of the future" is an excellent place to start. She cites positive results that have been achieved in Waikato schools through a District Health Board initiative, Project Energise. The programme, run by Sports Waikato, works with schools to improve levels of physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles through a hands-on approach by "cool young educators" who come to visit. In addition to Fruit in Schools, the Project Energise trial also included free milk - an initiative that principals reported saw a drop in theft from lunch boxes.
Professor Rush says it is important that healthy lifestyle momentum started in programmes like Project Energise is not lost when children move on to high school. She is critical of the move to drop "healthy food only" restrictions at school tuck-shops, claiming government has a moral responsibility to "walk the talk" on this serious issue.
There are also a whole range of issues that need to be considered, from the cost of healthy foods to how a family without a car can buy healthily when its only option is the corner dairy.
Professor Rush's students have offered some interesting solutions. One suggested a "Personal Shopper" stationed in supermarkets to assist with the selection of affordable healthy food. The face-to-face approach is considered highly likely to be successful and could be funded through DHB's Public Health budgets. Another idea was distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables by a "Mr Whippy" style van. This would counter problems faced not only by families without transport but also those needing large amounts of produce to make the recommended "5 plus" a day a reality without shopping every other day.
It seems a wide, inclusive and dedicated approach is needed to change our obesity statistics. Experts doubt stepping up exercise programmes will work in isolation. They say lecturing people that fast food and fizzy drinks are bad for them won't work either. Combating obesity is a huge challenge. It's also one that makes the All Blacks struggle to win the next Rugby World Cup seem very pale in comparison.
