Aotearoa has the third-highest obesity rate in the OECD, with public health researchers warning that government inaction on unhealthy food environments is contributing to rising rates of chronic disease and placing more than $2 billion in annual costs on the health system.
A new briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC), hosted by the University of Otago in Wellington, is calling for stronger policies to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy processed foods.
The briefing, released on Wednesday, October 21, warns that obesity rates have failed to improve across ethnic groups, although researchers say there are indications of a possible plateau among Māori.
Almost every age group has also experienced increasing obesity rates, raising concerns about the long-term health consequences for whānau and the wider population.
Sugary Drinks Under the Spotlight
Briefing lead author Dr Andrea Teng says the widespread availability and marketing of sugary drinks and energy-dense ultra-processed foods are contributing to an environment where unhealthy dietary choices are increasingly common.
The figures reveal the scale of the problem.
Sugary drinks account for 26% of the total sugar consumed by children in New Zealand, making them the single largest source of sugar in children’s diets.
They are also a significant source of sugar for adults.
Researchers estimate obesity-related diseases cost New Zealand more than $2 billion every year, while high body mass index is now the leading risk factor contributing to health loss across the country.
The findings have renewed calls for government intervention to make healthier food and drink options more accessible and affordable.
Could a Sugar Tax Help Turn the Tide?
The PHCC briefing identifies a sugary drinks industry levy, similar to the system operating in the United Kingdom, as one evidence-based option for New Zealand.
More than 100 jurisdictions internationally have introduced levies on sugary drinks.
Research indicates that increasing the price of these products can reduce purchasing, sales and consumption.
The United Kingdom’s approach applies higher charges to drinks containing more sugar, creating an incentive for manufacturers to reformulate their products.
According to the briefing, this tiered system has encouraged companies to reduce the sugar content of their drinks.
Researchers argue that New Zealand could adopt a similar approach as part of a wider strategy to improve nutrition and prevent chronic disease.
Tonga Provides Important Pacific Evidence
New research examining Tonga’s taxes on sugary drinks and other unhealthy foods is also contributing to the debate.
The research found that the taxes were associated with significant increases in retail prices for targeted products, including sugary drinks, ice cream and sausages.
The findings provide further evidence of how taxation policies can influence the food environment.
However, the study’s reported findings relate to price changes rather than directly establishing improvements in obesity rates or long-term health outcomes.
The research adds to international evidence being considered by public health experts advocating for stronger preventative health policies in Aotearoa.
Māori Health Equity and the Cost of Healthy Food
The debate also raises important questions about health equity and whether government policy is doing enough to make nutritious food affordable and accessible.
For Māori whānau, access to healthy food must be considered alongside household budgets, food availability and broader socioeconomic conditions.
The PHCC researchers suggest that revenue from a sugary drinks levy could be directed towards initiatives designed to improve health equity.
These could include making healthy food more affordable and widely available, alongside support for free dental care.
Such an approach would aim to address both the consumption of unhealthy products and the financial barriers that can prevent whānau from accessing healthier alternatives.
The briefing argues that effective public health policy should make healthier choices easier rather than relying solely on individuals to change their behaviour.
National Nutrition Data More Than 17 Years Out of Date
Another major concern raised by the researchers is the lack of up-to-date national information about what New Zealanders are eating and drinking.
The country’s National Nutrition Survey is now more than 17 years out of date, limiting the ability of policymakers and researchers to accurately monitor dietary trends.
The PHCC is calling for the survey to be restored so the country can better understand changing patterns of food consumption, including sugary drink intake.
Without current national data, researchers warn that developing and evaluating effective nutrition policies becomes more difficult.
Pressure Mounts for Government Action
The latest briefing adds to growing calls for a stronger national approach to preventing obesity and diet-related disease.
Researchers say the evidence is available for policies that could improve the food environment, including sugary drinks levies, incentives for manufacturers to reduce sugar and initiatives that make nutritious food more affordable.
The question now is whether policymakers are prepared to adopt those measures.
With healthcare costs continuing to place pressure on public resources, the PHCC argues that preventing chronic disease must become a greater priority.
For Aotearoa, the challenge is not simply encouraging people to eat better. It is creating a food environment where healthy choices are accessible, affordable and supported by effective public policy.
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