Health Sets Its Sight On The Future

24 June 2004

Health Sets Its Sight On The Future

The New Zealand Nutrition Foundation welcomes the Government's Healthy Eating Healthy Action implementation plan stating that it sees its release as a major step forward for New Zealand health.

"We are hoping that this plan will inspire co-operation between a number of different sectors including not only health professionals but also industry, local government, educators and the many other sectors which can influence health outcomes. This will be especially important in addressing the increasing levels of obesity that we are seeing," says Cliff Tasman-Jones, Scientific Director of the Foundation.

In saying this, the Foundation also realizes just how important it is that other nutrition issues apart from overweight and obesity remain on the agenda. One such issue of concern is the nutritional status of older New Zealanders.

"Rather than over nourishment some groups within our older population face the risks associated with under nourishment," states Kaye Dennison, Chair of the Foundation's Older People's Working Group." It is an issue we must proactively address if we are to ensure that our ageing population can live long, healthy and independent lives."

Over the last 20 years the NZ Nutrition Foundation has promoted the importance of a varied and balanced diet seeing its role as that of ensuring that New Zealanders can achieve healthier lives by having the knowledge that they need to make informed food choices. It looks forward to working in partnership with other groups to ensure the success of the implementation of the country's Healthy Eating - Healthy Action strategy and improved health of New Zealanders.

ENDS

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