ISSN ISSN 1178-6191

Maori Health Review

Making Education Easy From Issue 65 - 2017

Dietary intake and eating behaviours of obese New Zealand children and adolescents enrolled in a community-based intervention programme

Authors: Anderson YC et al.

These researchers evaluated the eating behaviours of 239 obese children and adolescents (aged 5–16 years) enrolled from January 2012 to August 2014 in a community-based obesity programme in Taranaki, New Zealand. Participants had a body mass index ≥98th percentile or >91st percentile with weight-related comorbidities. Ethnicities included Māori (45%), NZ Europeans (45%), Pacific (3%), Asian (3%), and Other (4%). Two-thirds (67%) of participants were reported to experience hyperphagia and half (51%) were not satiated after a meal, 62% were comfort eaters, and 54% had a daily energy intake that exceeded the recommended guidelines based on age and gender. Servings of fruit and vegetable were below the New Zealand recommendations of ≥2 fruit (mean 1.8) servings per day and ≥3 vegetable (mean 1.7) servings per day. Compared with the national average, participants ate fewer breakfasts per week (mean 5.9 vs 6.5; p<0.0001) and more servings per week of fast food/take aways (mean 1.3 vs 1.0; p=0.006) per week. Notably, Māori participants consumed a median volume of sweet drinks that was two-fold that of NZ Europeans (250 vs 125 mL/day; p=0.0002).

Comment: The finding that sweet drink consumption is significantly higher for Māori than NZ Europeans is alarming. Reasons for this difference are complex and published evidence suggests that education of the primary caregiver, housing stability, rurality and neighbourhood deprivation are important factors associated with sweet drink consumption and, therefore, health outcomes including obesity and dental caries. We need action on developing and testing interventions to address these basic or root causes.

Reference: Reference: PLoS One. 2016;11(11):e0166996

Abstract

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Maori Health Review

Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.

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