Government decision ignores obesity-cancer link

Government decision ignores obesity-cancer link, says PHA
5 February 2009

Public Health Association (PHA) National Executive Officer, Dr Gay Keating, says the decision to reintroduce unhealthy food to school cafes flies in the face of the latest international evidence on the link between obesity and cancer.

“A new report, released today by global cancer control organisation UICC to mark World Cancer Day, explains the link between cancer and excess body weight, poor diet and physical inactivity.

“The report calls on parents, teachers, and decision-makers to take action now to encourage healthy habits among children.

“In New Zealand, we have marked World Cancer Day by taking a giant step backwards and increasing our children’s access to high-fat, high-sugar foods.

“With international evidence, such as that outlined in this report, increasingly showing a link between obesity and cancer, particularly for children, it is baffling that our government would make such an ill-advised decision.

“A decision that appears to have been made based on no evidence; and flies in the face of clear evidence of the harm caused by overweight and obesity.”

ends

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