Nutrition Highlighted As Key Factor In Disease

Agencies for Nutrition Action (ANA) supports the findings of the ‘Nutrition and the Burden of Disease’ launched by Minister of Health, Annette King today (06/08/03). The report found that poor nutrition has a role in about 40% of deaths in New Zealand, which equates to 11,000 deaths a year in New Zealand., which equates to 40% of all deaths Poor nutrition is a key risk factors for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

“This report confirms that two well-established nutrition related risk factors – cholesterol and blood pressure are, along with tobacco smoking, the three major modifiable causes of premature death in New Zealand,” says Carolyn Watts, Chairperson of ANA.

“The report provides evidence that if we can increase fruit and vegetable intake and address obesity levels then this could have a major impact on our population’s health” says Ms Watts.

The report emphasises that there is no quick fix to address poor nutrition, and that what is needed is a combination of strategies, to achieve sustainable change.

“We are pleased that this report strengthens the evidence for strategies to successfully encourage healthy eating and physical activity” says Ms Watts. “Our challenge now is to act on this evidence and encourage the implementation of the multiple strategies required to address poor nutrition.”