November 16, 2014
DHB alarmed at growing patient mass
Northland District Health Board wants to encourage more Maori into healthy lifestyles to tack the region’s growing obesity problem.
An Obestiy Conference in Whangarei hosted by the DHB as part of Diabetes Awareness week heard that almost one in three adults in New Zealand aged 15 and over are considered obese.
There are marked ethnic inequities in obesity between Maori and non-Maori, both in Northland and nationally.
More than half of Northland Maori have challenges with maintaining an acceptable body mass index.
That has implications for diabetes and cardiovascular disease rates.
Conference convenor Dr Robert Loan says patient education remains key to stemming the rising health costs.
Northland DHB has committed to the Fit For Life work programmes relating to healthy lifestyles to address obesity rates in Northland.
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