"Scary Figures" in Research on Obesity



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Two Million New Zealanders Will Be Obese in 20 Years, Reveals New Study

A Report from the University of Otago Published Today in Journal of Australian Public Health and New Zealand shows the mass index (BMI) of New Zealanders increased from 26.4 kg / m2 in 1997 to 28.3 kg / m2 in 2015.

If the trend is continued, the average BMI of New Zealand would exceed the 30kg / m2 obesity threshold in the early 2030s.

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight in adults.

Between 18.5kg / m2 and 25kg / m2 is considered the healthy weight, and 30kg / m2 or more is considered obese.

In 2015, 1.1 million New Zealanders were considered clinically obese, but in 2038 this could be two million.

The prevalence of obesity in New Zealand had already tripled to 30% between 1977 and 2013, becoming the third most obese.

Researchers Ross Wilson and Haxby Abbott of the University Center Dr. Wilson said that the Otago study revealed "scary figures", which were "very serious" and could be used by the government to the Dunedin School of Medicine. impose massive pressures on the health system and dramatically increase health problems.

But it was "definitely not" the moment to panic.

"There are things that can be done that are likely to be effective" "But a broad and comprehensive approach was needed to counter these problems," he said in an interview

. the researchers pointed out that positive progress has been made on smoking-related diseases, taking robust and comprehensive measures.

Unless there is an improvement in public health policies, continued increases in the number BMIs were likely to increase premature mortality, loss of population health, health system costs and job productivity losses related to the obesity epidemic. [003] New Zealand's anti-tobacco measures already showed what could be achieved through comprehensive reforms, including taxation, advertising restrictions and product regulation, to stop the spread of drug abuse. In 1965, a comprehensive obesity reduction strategy could include improving the relative affordability of healthy foods, for example through taxation and subsidies, and restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods. Food and promoting active forms of movement, including walking and cycling.

Our BMIs have increased dramatically in recent decades and New Zealand has the highest rates of "overweight" and obesity among developed countries. 19659003] The study examined potential influences on obesity from data from 76,294 New Zealand adults.

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