New Zealand sport stars rally to fight obesity

New Zealand Health Minister and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has launched a new high profile public awareness campaign to encourage people to make healthy lifestyle changes to tackle obesity.

The Big Change Starts Small campaign is fronted by sport stars including Olympian Valerie Adams, Silver Fern captain Casey Kopua, All Black Israel Dagg, Black Cap skipper Brendon McCullum and Warriors star Shaun Johnson.

Dr Coleman explains “Big Change Starts Small is the theme of the campaign which encourages people to start making small changes to have a long term and positive impact on our children’s health and wellbeing.”

Aiming to raise awareness and generate a conversation about childhood obesity in New Zealand. Advertising commenced on 12th November 2015 and continues through December 2015.

The campaign is one of 22 initiatives in the Government’s recently announced Obesity Plan, with Dr Coleman commenting that “New Zealand is one of the first OECD countries to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity.”

The public awareness campaign on food choice and inactivity will run for six weeks across a range of media and aims to get people talking about the impact our lifestyle choices have on children’s health.

Families will be encouraged to make small changes to improve their diet and to be more active.

It is supported by a new website which offers affordable meal and activity ideas.

Dr Coleman adds “obesity is a serious issue and the idea of starting with small changes is one we can all get behind.

“There are some easy small changes we can make such as substituting unhealthy snacks with healthy snacks, rewarding kids with activities instead of food treats, and making water the first choice.”

Click here for further information about the Childhood Obesity Plan on the Ministry of Health website.

For more information on Big Change Starts Small go to www.eatmovelive.govt.nz

21st October 2015 - NEW ZEALAND PLAN TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY

24th June 2015 - TACKLING OBESITY THROUGH NEW ZEALAND’S RUGBY CLUBS

8th October 2014 - NEW ZEALAND MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SPORT TO FOCUS ON OBESITY PREVENTION

22nd February 2013 - PHYSICAL INACTIVITY COSTS NEW ZEALAND ALMOST 1% OF GDP

13th March 2012 - KIWI CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF CRUCIAL PLAY TIME

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