July 01, 2016
More talk to tackle obesity
The Government today introduces a new health target to help reduce childhood obesity.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says obesity is a serious issue threatening the health of young New Zealanders.
About 11 per cent of all children aged 2-14 years are now considered obese, and the figures for Maori and Pacific children are 15 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
Dr Coleman says the new health target means four year olds identified as obese while getting their B4 School Check will be offered a referral to the services they and their family need to support healthy eating and activity.
He expects it to pick up more than 4000 children a year.
The Raising Healthy Kids health target is one of 22 initiatives in the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan.
The plan does not include any tax on sugar, despite more than 70 health professors signing an open letter saying such a tax would be more effective than any of the 22 initiatives.
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