12 Aug 2011

'Not enough' being done to combat diabetes

10:33 pm on 12 August 2011

A group of doctors and public health researchers say not enough is being done to prevent New Zealand's rapidly rising rates of diabetes.

They say increasing obesity is to blame, and have criticised Government axing of healthy eating and obesity prevention programmes, including a requirement for schools to provide healthy food.

In an open letter to the New Zealand Medical Journal, the group of 12 doctors and researchers say 63% of adults are now overweight.

They expect an upcoming survey to show the average weight of adults has risen about 3kg in the past decade.

They say urgent action is needed, including a national nutrition and physical acitivity strategy and a ban on marketing junk food to children.