Government plan to tackle obesity addresses only half the problem – AUT nutrition expert
Auckland University of Technology Professor of Nutrition Elaine Rush says the plan unveiled by government on Monday to tackle obesity in New Zealand does not take into consideration the importance of school-based physical education and issues of food security.
“This plan has broad brush guidelines and a targeted individual approach,” says Professor Rush. “Of the 22 ‘initiatives’, half are guidelines, resources and voluntary regulation, but there is no real evidence that these guidelines will work well as a long-term approach.”
The World Health Organisation Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity emphasises a regulatory framework and, amongst other policy actions, stresses that issues of food security should be considered and school-based physical education (as opposed to pure sport) is included.
Importance of ‘play’ in schools
“The Government’s plan includes three initiatives around sport. However, sport does not suit everyone - children should be prescribed play and the acquisition of fundamental movement skills,” says Professor Rush.
“We have evidence from the Waikato that working with primary and preschools to promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools works in a very cost effective way.”
Professor Rush provides academic leadership for Project Energize, Sport Waikato’s multimillion dollar regional health programme. The programme involves 244 schools and 44,000 children and has improved nutrition and physical activity. In 2013 Project Energize was extended into South Auckland and Northland to include more than 10000 more children and a pilot study in Ireland is to be extended. The team also head an Under 5’s Energize health service, funded by the Ministry of Health which began in 121 Waikato preschools in 2013.
“The Project Energize way has shown how, with a whole of school and community approach, we can get real results that can halt obesity, in children in particular,” says Professor Rush. “The AUT South Campus has recently become a participant in Project Energize and our staff are beginning to see some real changes in the quality of their health and lifestyle.”
Accessibility to healthy food
Accessibility to healthy food options is another issue not addressed in the Government’s plan, according to Professor Rush.
“You can tell people to eat their vegetables but they won’t unless they are available, affordable and the environment supports this.”
“The only existing policy is healthy food policies in District Health Boards and finally these are gaining traction as reporting on their part is required. But this is not a new initiative – what we need is government setting a standard for all of New Zealand to follow when it comes to healthy food policies.”
Professor Rush says that while New Zealand produces food for 30 million people, the country has one of the highest rates of obesity globally.
“That’s a sign that our food supply is not health-promoting. We need to talk more about consuming combinations of healthy, whole foods and ensuring consumers understand what’s in the food that they eat.”
The latter is the central principle of AUT’s Nothing Else brand, established by the AUT Food Network which draws together University academics involved in various aspects of food research, including Food Science, Health and Nutrition, Hospitality, Branding and Design, Retailing, and Research and Innovation.
“The AUT Food Network wants to change food choices, by taking steps to improve the quality of food presented to people. That’s what we’re doing with the Nothing Else Food bar which is sold at all cafés and gyms across all our AUT Campuses.”
Sugar tax is a way forward
Professor Rush adds that if shortage of money is a limiting fact to making healthy foods more accessible, a tax on sugary drinks can bring a “triple whammy of benefits” when it comes to the fight on obesity.
“A hefty tax on sugary drinks can result in more money for investment in our children’s future, a proven reduction (as demonstrated in Mexico) in purchase, and improved dental health.”