Council offering healthier option

Auckland Council is taking the battle against obesity and type 2 diabetes out to the community.

It announced last week it is to drop sugar-sweetened drinks from vending machines at council-run leisure centres, as part of the Healthy Families NZ initiative.

Most of the machines are located in South Auckland in a legacy from pre-amalgamation days.

The council says it has made an decision to eliminate 340kg of refined sugar a year - equal to 85,000 sugar cubes which when stacked would stand the height of four and half Sky Towers.

Chief executive Stephen Town says it just doesn’t fit to sell sugary drinks in places that are trying to support healthier lifestyles.

‘‘We operate 21 leisure centres that are community-led and we work hard to encourage Aucklanders to be more active more often,’’ he says.

‘‘We’re not telling people what to drink but we are offering them better choices in our facilities that are focused on health.’’

Water, unflavoured milk, 100 per cent fruit juice, diluted fruit juice with no added sugar and artificially sweetened soft drinks will be offered.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomed the council’s commitment to the local Healthy Families NZ initiative.

‘‘The initiative challenges communities to think differently about how to address the underlying causes of poor health at a local level,’’ he says.

‘‘Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges we are facing as a nation. One in three of our adults are overweight and one in 10 of our kids and unless we get on top of this it’s really going to impact on the health in our communities.’’

Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura manager Ben Youdan says activating local and industry leadership is the key to addressing sugar-related health issues.

‘‘Auckland Council is a lead partner in our local Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa and Papakura movement. This is a fantastic demonstration of their strong commitment to drive transformative changes that will positively affect the health of our communities.’’

The removal of sugar-sweetened drinks will roll out between now and October this year, with all centres offering healthier choices in time for the peak summer season.