July 13, 2009
Report highlights Government stupidity on obesity
News that New Zealand has the third highest rate in the OECD shows that the Government needs to make fighting obesity
its top health priority, said the Green Party today.
The report puts New Zealand's obesity rate third highest in the OECD at 26.5 per cent in 2007, Mexico was at 30 per cent
in 2006 and the United States led with 34.3 per cent of its population classed as obese in 2006.
“This report highlights the stupidity of the Government’s move to slash funding for public health initiatives aimed at
preventing obesity,” said Green Party Health Spokesperson, Sue Kedgley.
“It’s alarming that New Zealand has the third highest obesity rate and what’s even more alarming is that the Government
is doing nothing about it. They have even axed reducing obesity and improving nutrition as targets for District Health
Boards.
“As this report shows, obesity is a huge problem in New Zealand and the Government needs to take its head out of the
sand and make fighting obesity its top priority.”
It is estimated that there are over 8000 preventable deaths a year related to poor nutrition and obesity and the annual
cost of obesity and diabetes to the heath system has been estimated at $900 million dollars. In the next 8 years it is
forecast that the cost for Type 2 diabetes alone will rise to $1,300 million per annum.
“It is just common sense that we need to spend money on preventing illness. It saves money in the long run by stopping
serious conditions developing that require people to be hospitalised at great expense to the tax payer,” said Ms
Kedgley.
For earlier Green Party Press releases on this issue, see:
Links to reports
OECD Health Data 2009 - Frequently Requested Data
Diabetes New Zealand - type 2 Diabetes – Outcomes Model Update, Price Waterhouse Cooper, September 2008 http://www.diabetes.org.nz/resources/docs/research_and_reports/Type_2_2008_Update.doc
Food, Nutrition and Health, Public Health Association of New Zealand position statement 2004 - www.pha.org.nz/policies/phapolicynutrition.pdf
Health and Participation: an active agenda - Advice to the Incoming Minister of Health 2005 http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/4343?Open
Ministry of Health Obesity website - www.moh.govt.nz/obesity
ENDS