It is estimated that 1 in 8 children in New Zealand under 14 are obese - and a further fifth of children are overweight
Concerns around our childhood obesity rates have prompted several healthy lifestyle education programmes in primary schools, however many of those are provided or sponsored by the very corporations contributing to the problem - fast food and drink companies.
The issue has been highlighted in the United States by NYU Food politics professor, Marion Nestle who says fast food giants are using "physical activity diversion" to change the conversation around their product's links to obesity by promoting increased physical activity as the best way to lose weight and improve health.
Here in New Zealand Dr Darren Powell of Auckland University has looked at the role of big food and drink companies in promoting healthy lifestyles to primary school children - and says they are having a detrimental impact on both schools and teachers. He tells us what is going on, and why he believes it is sending a dangerous message to children.
