Environmental determinants of childhood obesity: a specific focus on Māori and Pasifika in New Zealand

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity in New Zealand continues to rise, with recent research ranking New Zealand the fourth-worst Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country for obesity. Most worrying are the figures among New Zealand children (aged 2–14years), with 23% overweight and a further 10% obese in 2013/2014. Of particular concern are ethnic disparities; while 7% of European/ Pakeha children were obese, 16% of Māori children and 25% of Pacific children were obese. These obese children are at increased risk of premature onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including musculoskeletal disorders, some cancers, and cardio-metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The prolonged and enhanced burden of NCDs – that were once almost exclusively associated with older people – carries significant economic consequences. The estimated health care costs of overweight and obesity in New Zealand were NZ$624million in 2006, 29% of which was attributable to the Pasifika and Māori populations, even though they collectively comprise just 21.5% of the total population. These figures, which will continue to grow with the increasing rates of obesity, are purely financial and do not reflect the social costs to individuals and communities.