Aotearoa NZ needs action on unhealthy food environment
Public health researchers in New Zealand are calling for urgent policy action, including a sugary drinks tax, to address the country's high obesity rates and unhealthy food environment. They cite international success stories like the UK levy and Tonga's food taxes.
Why it matters
Diet-related chronic diseases impose massive economic and healthcare burdens, making effective public health nutrition policies a critical government priority.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s lack of effective policy action to improve the unhealthy food environment is contributing to persistently high obesity rates and increasing pressure on the health system.
In the latest Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) Briefing , University of Otago researchers call for stronger policies to improve nutrition and prevent chronic disease.
NZ has the third-highest obesity rate in the OECD, and there has been no improvement in obesity rates for any ethnic group, apart from a possible plateau for Māori. Almost every age group has also experienced increasing obesity rates.
Briefing lead author Dr Andrea Teng says these trends reflect a food environment where sugary drinks and energy-dense ultra-processed foods are widely available, marketed and consumed.
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