Good and bad news on nation's health

Nine out of 10 NZ children are starting their day the right way, with breakfast every morning, according to the recently released 2006/7 NZ Health Survey.

What’s more, nearly half of all NZ children either walk or bike to school each day and since 2002 there has been no increase in the proportion of children who were obese. But it isn’t all good news. One in five children are still considered overweight and a further one in 12 obese.

NZ adults fared worse, with one in three overweight and a further one in four obese. And more NZ adults now suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Regular physical activity, healthy eating habits and smoke-free lifestyles are still not the norm for a number of NZ adults and children. And given the large health disparities that exist between different ethnic groups and socioeconomic groups within NZ, it appears there is still plenty of room for improvement in our nation’s health.

Source: Ministry of Health