Obesity - A global epidemic

What does this mean?

McGraw-Hill (2005) define a global epidemic as "problems that are geographically wide spread" (para 2) and fast spreading.  Obesity is defined by World Health Organisation (2000) being "a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue (connective tissue consisting of mainly fat cells) to the extent that health maybe impaired" (para 1).

With these definitions in mind it is possible to explore the negative implications for both the obese individuals and collective society. 

I have found it easy to see the words 'global obesity epidemic' and not be concerned.  New Zealand has a small population of approximately 4.5 million people.  We are a country that prides itself on sporting ability and achievement, a country of farmers and a country with a beautiful outdoor environment with a wide range of action and adventure activities.  How could we really have an obesity problem?

Reading the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Health in 2006/07 and 2008/09 looking at adult and child obesity in New Zealand opens a completely different view into the life styles, genetics and health of some New Zealanders.  In the 2008/09 adult nutrition survey one in four adults or 27.8% were obese, 44.7% of Maori adults were obese and 57.9% of Pacific adults were obese.  Child obesity statistics are just as appalling with one in twelve children (8.3%) aged between 2 to 14 years recorded as being obese, in addition to this one in five children (20.9%) were overweight.  Pacific boys and girls were recorded as being 2.5 times more likely to be obese than boys and girls in the total population, along with Maori boys and girls were 1.5 times more likely to be obese (Ministry of Health, 2013).

Where to from here? These statistics bring to light a number of questions. What initiatives are the government putting into place to address this issue? How do these statistics influence and impact on the children's health, learning and development? What can we as a society, as families and as individuals do to recognise and change these staggering statistics?