NZers Getting the Message on Being Overweight

February 9 2009

New Zealanders Getting the Message on Being Overweight

Many New Zealanders who are concerned about their weight are taking actions to do something about it according to recent research of over 10,000 New Zealanders*.

Vicki Hamilton, Executive Director of the Food Industry Group, said that the research showed over 54 per cent of those asked were concerned about overweight problems for themselves or their family and, of these, 73% were taking various actions.

These ranged from reducing the amount of food being eaten (26%) to changing the sorts of foods eaten (33%) and getting more exercise (38%).

Hamilton also said that despite all the negative publicity from lobby groups about food advertising the research had, in fact, shown it could have quite a positive effect on what people ate.

``Just on 70% of people asked said advertising had helped them or their family correct overweight problems by reducing the amount they ate (13%), eating more healthy foods (31%) and getting more exercise (25%).

Hamilton said it was time to look at some of the positive news on the obesity front. ``Although there is still much to be done to solve the problem, continual calls for bans and taxes on certain foods are not the answer. It is not only simplistic and bureaucratic, it is impractical.

``All kinds of foods are now everywhere in our society. You will always be able to eat too much of the wrong things if you choose to- whether foods are advertised or not. What is crucial is for people to understand the downsides of being overweight and what to do about it.’’

``It may be a boring message but it does boil down to not eating too much, choosing a balanced diet and getting some exercise.’’

ENDS

*Part of the National Commercial Radio Audience Survey. End 2008

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