Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Ultraprocessed food is displacing healthy food and driving up rates of diabetes, depression and heart disease in New Zealand and internationally, a new report shows.
‘Ultra-processed foods’ are dominating diets worldwide and driving a rapid rise in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, according to a new landmark report.
Ultra-processed foods are made from cheap ingredients using industrial methods, contain a lot of sugar, salt, fat and additives, and are heavily promoted.
“In Aotearoa, New Zealand, it is likely that consumption of ultra-processed food is around 50 to 60 percent of the nation’s diet, similar to other high-income, English-speaking countries,” says Professor Boyd Swinburn, a population nutrition researcher from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
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Swinburn is an author of one of the three papers comprising The Lancet’s Series. The actual figure is not known, because New Zealand has not had a nutrition survey in adults for 18 years and in children for 23 years, Swinburn says. “We do know that unhealthy diets and obesity are our biggest risk factor for disease and death in New Zealand, and this is driven by our high intake of ultra-processed foods,” Swinburn says. “So, we really need to face the issue, measure the intake with a national food survey, and take steps to reduce the intake from that high level.” Junk food displacing healthy food: urgent action needed The Lancet Series highlights that ultra-processed foods are displacing fresh and minimally processed foods, worsening diet quality, and increasing risk of multiple chronic diseases. “In Aotearoa New Zealand, we really need policies to create healthier food environments if we want to make a difference to our increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems,” Swinburn says. The Lancet series’ 43 authors say improving diets cannot rely on consumer behaviour change alone but rather requires coordinated policies to reduce ultra-processed food production, marketing and consumption. Swinburn says many countries are taking serious action on ultra-processed foods, especially across Latin America, and they are getting results. The Ministry of Health is currently revising New Zealand dietary guidelines for children and youth and they need to include recommendations on ultra-processed foods, Swinburn says. “The free school lunches for 25 percent of children, through the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme, have to meet nutrition guidelines, but, in the rest of the schools, ultra-processed foods are frequently on the menu or in the tuck shop. “The existing regulations which require schools to promote healthy foods should be extended to the provision of food – the canteen should match the curriculum.” Mandatory warning labels, taxes and curbs on marketing required Many countries have mandatory warning labels showing foods high in fat, sugar and salt and New Zealand should follow suit, Swinburn says. “Half the world has taxes on sugary drinks – New Zealand needs a UK-style Sugary Drinks Industry Levy with the funding going towards the efforts of communities and local food growers to provide inexpensive healthy foods,” he says. Ultra-processed foods are harmful products and their marketing to children should be banned – New Zealand has the second highest rate of child obesity in the OECD, yet no policies to address this, Swinburn says. “It is important to look beyond the ultra-processed foods themselves and into the high profit system that drives their production and promotion,” he says. “Ultra-processed food corporations are highly expert at manipulating cheap ingredients and industrial additives into hyperpalatable foods, exploiting consumers with sophisticated marketing, and turning poorer neighbourhoods into swamps of fast food.” |
