1-in-10 Pacific Island kids in NZ ‘extremely obese’
Almost 11 per cent of Pacific Island children in New Zealand are extremely obese, compared with 0.8 per cent of European and other non-Maori children, say researchers.
5.1 percent of Maori children also have an extremely high level of body fat.
Otago University researchers have further analysed the 2002 National Children’s Nutrition Survey which looked at children aged five to 14 years.
They say there is an urgent need to find out the underlying reasons for these ethnic differences and ways to curb this severe obesity in children.
Extremely obese children are likely to suffer obesity-related diseases in adulthood.
Read more: NZPA / Stuff, 13 Nov 2007
Ethnic differences seen in extreme child obesity
University of Otago researchers have found marked ethnic differences in rates of extreme childhood obesity in New Zealand.
Read more: Press release, Otago University / Scoop, 12 Nov 2007
