Govt's junkfood relationship devastating for kids

Latest data proves the Government's hands-off approach to obesity, and refusal to limit the junkfood industry's influence, has had devastating impacts on childrens' health, the Green Party says.

The Ministry of Health's annual health survey, quietly released this afternoon, found one in nine children aged two to 14 were obese and adult obesity rates had massively increased over the past three to four years.

"This is the latest in an ever increasing pool of proof that the Government's kowtowing to the junkfood industry is putting the lives and the health of Kiwi kids at risk," Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the evidence points to the need for restrictions on junkfood availability and advertising, and till the Government stops backing the junkfood industry over the health of Kiwi kids, the obesity epidemic will get worse.

"These results are proof that the Governments' recent obesity action plan will not work, because it focuses on individual responsibility and exercise, rather than the food regulations that all the experts say are needed.

"The National Government is beholden to the junkfood industry in the same way it is beholden to the alcohol lobby and big gambling businesses like SkyCity.

"If it cared about the health of kids, the Government would reintroduce the food in schools guidelines it scrapped in 2009, while also placing a tax on fizzy drinks to reduce consumption with all revenue put into obesity prevention and other health programmes," Mrs Turei said

Latest Health Announcements

Story

Only the Green Party will deliver free dental care for all

With more Green MPs we can build on Labour’s announcement today and make dental care free for everyone.
Read More

Story

Greens release dental stories collection

The Green Party has today released a collection of stories showing exactly why dental care should be free in Aotearoa.
Read More

Story

Marama Davidson Free Dental for All Speech

Ata mārie and welcome. 
Read More

Story

Green Party promises free dental for all

The Green Party is today promising to make dental care free for everyone in Aotearoa.
Read More

Story

Tell us the tooth: Green Party asks Aotearoa to tell their dental care stories

The Green Party are today launching a campaign asking for people to submit their stories of what it’s really like taking care of your oral health i...
Read More

Story

Greens urge all political parties to support amendment to ban big pharma ads

The Green Party plans to table an amendment to the Therapeutic Products Bill to ban direct to consumer advertising for prescription medicines.
Read More