The rate of obesity is higher in low decile schools
<h3>Primary schools are making good progress in adopting healthy eating education, according to health minister Jonathan Coleman and education minister Hekia Parata.</h3>
<p>“One in three New Zealand school children are either obese or overweight, and more than a third are inactive,” says Dr Coleman.</p>
<p>“That’s why the government launched the Childhood Obesity Plan. New Zealand is now one of the few countries in the OECD to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity.</p>
<p>“We know children in the most deprived areas are three times as likely to be obese. The plan includes a target of signing up 150 new deciles one to four primary schools to the Health Promoting Schools programme over two years.”</p>
<p>Since the plan was launched in October last year, 94 new schools have signed up with a total of 90 per cent of deciles one to four primary schools on board.</p>
<p>Health Promoting Schools involves the Ministry of Health working with the school community to address their health and wellbeing priorities.</p>
<p>“As young people spend approximately a third of their waking hours during the school term at school, schools have an important role to play in influencing their physical activity and food choices,” says Ms Parata.</p>
<p>“By encouraging the wider school community to get involved we’ve seen schools embrace some exciting and innovative changes which are having a positive impact on the students.</p>
<p>“For example, Lakeview School in the Wairarapa identified getting active while having fun as a priority. This led to the parents helping to build a 540 metre bike track which includes a skills section.</p>
<p>“Mahora School in Hastings identified that healthier food options were needed. They’ve made a number of changes including offering stickers instead of chocolate bars and introducing ‘brain food time’ during which kids are encouraged to eat fruit.”</p>
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