Plans to reduce obesity

The Minister of Health yesterday announced plans to reduce obesity in children. We know that obesity is a problem in New Zealand. One in 9 children are now obese. Obesity affects children of all ethnicities in New Zealand, girls and boys, rich and poor. If children are obese, it can affect their later health. They are more likely to develop diabetes and die at a young age. Very fat people find it harder to walk and take part in the same kinds of activities as other people.

The Minister said that the focus will be on pregnant women and pre-school children. If pregnant women put on too much weight, this can affect the baby. Before school health checks for four-year old children can identify those who are over-weight. Then the family will have help to plan good food and more activity for the child. Advertising on children’s programmes on television will show only healthy food. Schools and pre-schools should have healthy food.

However, the Children’s Commissioner said these things are not enough. He thinks there should be a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks.

Vocabulary

• obesity (n) obese (adj) – very fat
• affect (v) – influence, bring changes
• ethnicities (n), ethnic (adj) – race, culture of a group
• diabetes (n) – a disease in which people have high blood sugar
• focus on (v) – give main attention to, concentrate on (note the preposition)
• identify (v) – find, recognise
• over-weight (adj) – too much weight
• Children’s Commissioner (n) – this person in concerned about the care of children

Useful expressions

  • put on weight e.g. I have put on weight since I came to New Zealand. (not ‘put on my weight’). I have lost weight recently. (not ‘lost my weight’.)
  • They are likely / more likely to + verb

Questions

1. Do poor countries have obese people?
2. Why are so many people obese? Is there one reason?
3. Do you think a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks is a good idea?
4. What other problems do obese children have?
5. Is the Minister of Health doing the right thing to focus on pregnant women and children? What about obese adults?

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