Inquiry into Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in New Zealand
The Health Select Committee released its report on the Inquiry into Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes on 30 August 2007. The Government has three months to consider the 54 recommendations.
The Committee believes action at the highest levels of government is needed to drive the strategy.
Key recommendations include no advertising of unhealthy food on TV before 8:30pm and a clear and effective labelling system such as ‘traffic lights’ on packaging to help consumers identify unhealthy food.
The report includes a separate paper with the views of the National Party.
FOE says that the report accurately outlines many of the additional activities that must be undertaken in order to deal with obesity. We must now focus on seeing that the government takes on board its recommendations
Read the report: New Zealand Parliament website (PDF)
Read FOE’s media release about the report.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Govt declares war on obesity
The Press reports on the release of Parliament’s health select committee report into obesity and type 2 diabetes. It says the committee wants the government to “drive changes in the way food is labelled, promoted and sold - and to regulate if the food industry does not respond.”
Read more: The Press / Stuff, 31 Aug 2007
Obesity threatening NZ health system
“In New Zealand, a parliamentary committee has painted a grim picture of the obesity epidemic it says is threatening to overwhelm the health system and has urged a concerted response led by the Government.”
Read more: Sydney Morning Herald, 31 Aug 2007
Obesity Weighing Heavily on Health System
Has comments from various groups about the report and quotes from some of the submissions.
Read more: Epoch Times, 3 Sep 2007
Obesity inquiry’s ‘traffic lights’ Green
Sums up some of the recommendations made in the Inquiry report.
Read more: NZ Herald, 31 Aug 2007
Red light for bad food
Covers the committee’s majority recommendation for a traffic-light or comparable food labelling system to be developed by a national taskforce.
Read more: NZ Herald, 31 Aug 2007
MPs urge food controls
“Traffic-light labelling of food, tougher restrictions on food advertising and six months’ paid parental leave have been called for to help fight the obesity and diabetes epidemics”
Read more: Dominion Post, 31 Aug 2007
MEDIA STATEMENTS
Government response crucial for progress on obesity
FOE says that the report accurately outlines many of the additional activities that must be undertaken in order to deal with obesity. We must now focus on seeing that the government takes on board its recommendations.
Read more: Media release, Fight the Obesity Epidemic, 31 Aug 2007
Obesity Report ‘Missed Opportunity’
OAC says the report needs a strong comprehensive approach that includes regulation.
Read more: Press release, Obesity Action Coalition, 31 Aug 2007
Obesity: Let’s Work with people, not dictate
“Any response to the issue of obesity and type 2 diabetes will have to alter the “cultural hard-drive” of individuals and at-risk groups in order to be effective, says National Party Associate Health spokesman Jonathan Coleman.”
Read more: Press release, National Party / Scoop, 31 Aug 2007
National Party’s Reponse to Obesity Issues Slammed
The Obesity Action Coalition and Public Health Association criticised the National Party’s education-only approach to obesity prevention.
Read more: Media release, OAC and PHA, 31 Aug 2007
National Party’s obesity response ‘simple-minded’
Public Health Specialist Robert Quigley criticised the National Party for recommending education as the major solution to obesity, rather than opting for a more effective options such as regulation of TV advertising and a traffic-light food labelling system.
Read more: Press release, Quigley and Watts, 31 Aug 2007
Obesity Report not in step with the times
The Food Industry Group says the food industry is only a part of the solution, and the Committee had misjudged the capability and responsibility of the New Zealand public to change themselves!
Read more: Media release, Food Industry Group, 31 Aug 2007
