An international study on obesity says New Zealanders have the heaviest body mass index, second only to Americans.
Research conducted from 1980 - 2008 in 199 countries also reveals one in 10 people world-wide is obese, more than double the number in 1980.
While the figures show New Zealanders, particularly women, grew fatter, total blood cholesterol fell and hypertension improved in women.
Dr Robyn Toomath of the Fight the Obesity Epidemic group says the study's findings are consistent with others.
The group is dismayed the Government is paying little attention to obesity despite the growing evidence.
