Competition tackles Maori obesity
‘‘We’ve had disproportionately high rates of obesity for many years with 66 per cent of Pacific people and nearly half of Maori classified as obese.’’
Teams will learn how to lose weight and will earn points for achieving daily goals aimed at increasing physical activity and changing their eating habits.
Points are also earned for completing weekly tasks designed to increase knowledge of portion sizes and making healthier cooking choices.
Shane Ruwhiu suffers from diabetes and kidney failure. He spends six hours a day, three days a week, on hemodialysis.
He is a team leader for a group of Maori men taking part in the competition.
He said that Maori were one of the highest ethnic groups at risk of diabetes.
‘‘The numbers are very terrible, they are horrendous, they are not going to get better in their current status.’’
He said the competition had huge potential, particularly at raising awareness of the issue.
He had brought on Jason Tahi from Best Care Whakapai Hauora as a mentor who could relate to them as Maori.
‘‘He does not see us as an NHI number.’’
Ruwhiu said it was about breaking down barriers, particularly with Maori men.
Glover said efforts to date had not been able to stop the rise in obesity rates across the population. Obesity among Maori women has gone up from 42 per cent in 2006/7 to 48 per cent in 2014/15. Among European men and women, obesity rose from 24 per cent to 29 per cent in the same period.
Ministry of Health national programme manager Karen Evison said obesity was complex and required a mix of intervention strategies at the individual, family, community and societal level.
‘‘We know that what people eat and what people do in their leisure time is hugely influenced by their cultural beliefs and practices.’’
There is a prize pool of $5000 for each region; $1000 at the end of two months and four months; and a grand prize of $3000 at the end of the six-month competition. The prize goes to a charity or community organisation chosen by the teams.