NZ has major fitness problem

Last year, New Zealanders were found to be the chubbiest of 11 nations surveyed by Cigna 360 degrees Wellbeing Score research. The annual Cigna survey found more than 60% of NZ respondents were overweight or obese – the highest number out of all the countries surveyed. In addition, many New Zealanders may not have an accurate perception of what overweight looks like, with participants suggesting that only 45% of New Zealanders are overweight or obese.

A Stanford University report recently found Kiwis on average walk only four kilometres a day which is about 5,250 steps, well below the target of 10,000 steps we should all be aiming for.

New Zealand has a major problem committing to active participation, ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says.

Too many of the government messages in the early 2000s focused on slogans such as walk to the bus stop when that was never the answer to the looming inactivity, diabetes and obesity issues, Beddie says.

“For too long we have been sending the wrong messages, but despite all that, more than half a million Kiwis make the effort to be active through structured exercise such as gyms or studios.”

“Participation in organised sport is declining whereas participation in structured exercise has been consistently growing for the last 15 years. Even during the last financial recession, gym memberships grew and have constantly out performed New Zealand’s GDP growth, in good times and bad.”

“Because the exercise industry is run almost entirely by the free market, providers of exercise have to adapt and give the consumer what they want to stay in business. As a result, we now have much greater variety in price, product offering, location and service levels than ever before.”

Beddie says he agrees that a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and activity lead to increased energy, decrease in the risks of lifestyle disease, better sleep and a stronger body.

This is now a fact and without question. Only 10 years ago the role of exercise was still being questioned, whereas now the health benefits are too numerous to list. However, information isn’t the issue anymore, it’s helping people to change behaviour, he says.

“We urge less active New Zealanders to change their sedentary lifestyle. It’s about supporting them in their journey, which is much more than just bombarding them with more information, or a new quick fix.

“Waikato University PhD candidate Wendy Sweet says the best personal trainers coached rather than directed their clients.  This empowers people to continue to make the right choices, while being guided by an expert.”