Calls for Government to address childhood obesity by regulating junk food advertising

Obesity now costs New Zealanders more lost years of 'quality' life than smoking, but a new report claims it also has a massive economic cost to the country.

Public health experts are accusing the Government of neglecting the burden of obesity, as a new report details the massive costs we’re wearing as a result. And as half of Māori now have a BMI of 30 or higher, a nutritionist says the inaction amounts to a breach of Crown obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Auckland University Professor of Population Nutrition & Global Health Boyd Swinburn told Breakfast on Friday morning fast food chains and other junk food manufacturers were capitalising on Covid-19, adding to the other pandemic New Zealand is currently battling.

The Cancer Society wants to see a significant reduction in the promotion, normalisation and availability of unhealthy foods. That’s why we join Healthy Auckland Together, Health Coalition Aotearoa, Hāpai Te Hauora and others to call on the Government to introduce legislation that will protect children from exposure to junk food marketing.