South Island schools to fight fat

Otago University researchers will next year subsidise healthy foods at three South Island schools in a study of how lifestyle changes can affect childhood obesity.

The aim of the study, the first of its kind, is to fight the "fat kids" epidemic by encouraging healthy eating and exercise.

Researchers from the university's human nutrition department will measure and weigh children at six unidentified Otago schools early next year.

Healthy food and sports programmes will be implemented in three of the schools, while the other three will be left as is.

Researchers also want to subsidise healthy foods to encourage parents and caregivers to buy wholesome food and drink alternatives.

All children in the study will be monitored for two years to assess the impact of the healthy food and exercise programmes.

Nutrition lecturer Rachael Taylor said many studies on childhood obesity had focused on re-educating people about their lifestyle habits, which often did not work.

"This study, rather than relying on individuals to change their behaviour, will focus on changing lifestyle patterns around them," she said.

"The public health messages are out there but people don't seem to be taking them on board."

Talks were being held with food wholesalers about subsidising healthy foods such as milk and cereals in local shops.

"People say the cost of healthy food is a huge barrier," Mrs Taylor said. "Lean cuts of meat are more expensive and Coke is cheaper than milk. We want to see if that really is the issue; if decreasing the cost [of healthy food] will influence people's choice."

Research shows New Zealand children are getting fatter.

A nine-year Lincoln University study of more than 5000 Christchurch intermediate schoolchildren showed boys had packed on an average 2.9kg since 1991 and girls' weight had increased 2.1kg.

A joint Lincoln and Crown Public Health school lunch survey in Christchurch found children are eating packaged foods such as potato chips and fruit bars.

- NZPA

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