23 August 2002 News Update

SOUTHLAND STUDY ON OBESITY

A study into child obesity has found most children prefer television to exercise.

The preliminary findings of the pilot study, funded by the Southland Medical Foundation through the National Heart Foundation, will be released this week.

The researchers found one third of the children turned their noses up at healthy food, and while many parents would like to buy healthier foods for their children, cost was an issue.

Otago University human nutrition lecturer Rachael Taylor led the research team, which surveyed parents, doctors and school principals.

They found a quarter of parents thought it did not matter what their children ate as long as they were growing, and a third saw cost as a barrier to their children doing activities.

Work commitments prevented almost half the parents from being active with their children.

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