New Zealanders got more exercise and ate better food in 2006 but as a nation we have to do more, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said today.

Two new studies published in the New Zealand Medical Journal endorse the direction in which we are headed, Pete Hodgson said.

The studies show children who eat at the school canteen are more likely to be consuming high-sugar, high-fat foods while another study shows the cost of healthy food is the same or only slightly more than less healthy alternatives.

"We know that thousands of lives can be saved each year by increasing our physical activity and improving our nutrition. While the problem is global, during 2006 many Zealanders took up the challenge to improve their own health.

"I would like to recognise the personal victories for people who have lost weight and become more active and encourage more New Zealanders to follow their lead.

"Small changes made every day can have a positive health impact. I have met individuals who have changed their own lives through programmes like Green Prescriptions.

"2006 was also a year where I met a surprising number of young people who were improving their lifestyle and that of their families," Pete Hodgson said.

"I would also like to thank all those involved in initiatives made possible by this Labour-led government's investment, and thank businesses and industries for their support.

"No one strategy will reverse the rising epidemic of obesity and inactivity amongst us, and no one agency will have all the answers. The answers will come from individuals, families, communities, schools, businesses and local and central agencies working together. The solutions will go beyond party politics. " Pete Hodgson said.

The new studies can found at:
www.nzma.org.nz/journal/index.shtml

---

Some of the milestones during 2006 were:

February

• 27,000 primary school children took part in the Fruit in Schools programme. The programme is part of a wider strategy to help students and their communities and families adopt healthy lifestyles

May

• $76 million over four years announced in Budget 2006 to fund the largest campaign to fight obesity in New Zealand's history

• The Editorial of the Lancet notes that NZ is setting the agenda to combat obesity

July

• Interim research evaluation of the Fruit in Schools programme report students are showing a more positive attitude to healthy food and are being more physically active

September

• The launch of Mission On – a $67 million package focusing on healthy, active young New Zealanders. This includes new guidelines for food served in schools, a major social marketing campaign and changes for the marketing of food to children

• Auckland school students presented their views and their solutions for the issue in a workshop with Health Ministers from 43 countries at the WHO Western Pacific regional meeting

October

• Additional $800,000 investment from the Healthy Eating, Healthy Action Innovation Fund for four new projects to fight obesity at a DHB level. The projects include family activities and smart eating programmes and joins the 16 DHB project started in 2005

• The Fruit in Schools programme is extended to 154 new primary schools to more than double the programme's size to 268 primary schools and 57,000 students

• The Cancer Society and Foodstuffs' LiveSmart campaign in 129 New World supermarkets targets the one in two New Zealand adults who do not eat the recommended five plus a day servings of vegetables and fruit

December

• A voluntary agreement agreed between the government, Coca-Cola Amatil NZ and Frucor Beverages Ltd to remove full sugar fizzy and energy drinks from secondary schools by 2009