Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Government decision ignores obesity-cancer link
Government decision ignores obesity-cancer link, says
PHA
5 February 2009
Public Health Association (PHA) National Executive Officer, Dr Gay Keating, says the decision to reintroduce unhealthy food to school cafes flies in the face of the latest international evidence on the link between obesity and cancer.
“A new report, released today by global cancer control organisation UICC to mark World Cancer Day, explains the link between cancer and excess body weight, poor diet and physical inactivity.
“The report calls on parents, teachers, and decision-makers to take action now to encourage healthy habits among children.
“In New Zealand, we have marked World Cancer Day by taking a giant step backwards and increasing our children’s access to high-fat, high-sugar foods.
“With international evidence, such as that outlined in this report, increasingly showing a link between obesity and cancer, particularly for children, it is baffling that our government would make such an ill-advised decision.
“A decision that appears to have been made based on no evidence; and flies in the face of clear evidence of the harm caused by overweight and obesity.”
ends
NZ Amateur Sport Association: 22 Amendments Proposed For 2022 Act Lodged On 22 November
Auckland University of Technology: Reading Helps Children Face A Difficult Future
PATHA: Puberty Blocker Evidence Brief Affirms Aotearoa’s Approach
Tataki Auckland Unlimited: Into Ocean & Ice - Unveiling Antarctica's Past And Present
Health Coalition Aotearoa: Urgent Action Needed To Address Aotearoa’s Shameful Household Food Insecurity
GPNZ: 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey - One Quarter Of Kiwi Adults Unable To Access General Practice