A University of Otago-hosted briefing says New Zealand’s food environment is driving chronic disease and calls for a levy on sugary drinks alongside wider measures to make healthy choices more affordable.
New Zealand has one of the highest obesity rates in the OECD, according to a briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre that argues the country’s food environment is helping drive chronic disease and adding more than $2bn a year to the health system. The centre, hosted by the University of Otago in Wellington, says stronger action is needed to curb sugary drinks and heavily processed foods, both of which are widely available and aggressively marketed.
The briefing, released on Wednesday, says obesity rates have not improved across ethnic groups, although researchers see signs of a possible plateau among Māori. It also says nearly every age group has recorded rises in obesity, deepening concern about the long-term health burden for families and communities. Lead author Andrea Teng says sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods are a major part of the problem because they make unhealthy choices the easiest choices.
Sugary drinks remain a particular concern. The briefing says they account for 26% of the total sugar consumed by children in New Zealand, making them the largest single source of sugar in children’s diets. Researchers say they are also a major contributor for adults. The report links high body mass index to worsening health outcomes and says obesity-related disease costs the country more than $2bn annually.
Among the policy options being promoted is a levy on sugary drinks, modelled on the approach used in the United Kingdom. Public health researchers say more than 100 jurisdictions have introduced some form of tax or levy on sugary drinks, and evidence suggests higher prices can reduce purchases and consumption. The UK’s tiered system has also pushed manufacturers to cut sugar levels in drinks to avoid higher charges, something researchers say New Zealand could replicate as part of a wider prevention strategy.
The debate has also been sharpened by new evidence from Tonga, where taxes on sugary drinks and other unhealthy products were associated with higher retail prices for items including soft drinks, ice cream and sausages. Researchers say that kind of result supports the case for fiscal policy, though it does not by itself prove better long-term health outcomes. The briefing also points to equity concerns, saying any levy revenue could be channelled into cheaper healthy food, wider access to nutritious options and support for free dental care, while the government restores the National Nutrition Survey, which the centre says is now more than 17 years out of date.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
