New Zealander’s care passionately about their sport and the direction of their country.
A recent example is they managed to raise 300,000 odd submissions over The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.1 But what about the direction of our health?
The ‘stats’ aren’t good
New Zealand has the third highest adult rate of obesity in the OECD. One in three adults (over 15yrs) is classified as obese, and one in 10 children.2 There are no ‘quick fixes,’ with research showing that poor nutrition and food choice in NZ are related to social determinants of health e.g income, housing, ethnicity, deprivation, access to healthy food, and nutrition education. With an estimated NZ$ 3-4 billion spent annually on treating diet- related illness we need action now! But where should we start?
Nutritional surveys
Sadly, we don’t know the nutritional status of our people because the last adult nutrition survey in NZ was 2008/9 and for children 2002. In that time our diet has changed dramatically:3
- Some manufactured foods have less sodium, sugar and salt and more dietary fibre or protein added
- There are new foods e.g. Kombucha, quinoa, kimchi. A greater range of plant-based milks, meat substitutes and cell-cultured protein foods than when last surveyed
- The influence of social media & Dr Google has led to a plethora of diets and the many dietary supplements now available online is just adding to the dietary confusion.
We also lack information about the current nutritional intake of specific population groups such as children, the elderly, ethnic groups and those living with food insecurity. This makes it hard to plan nutrition interventions.
Nutrition Education is essential
Interestingly some students are politically leading the charge to better health. Last September three Year 13 students from Shirley Boys High School in Christchurch NZ obtained 800+ signatures supporting their petition for the government to make the teaching of life skills in schools compulsory. They wanted to broaden the Home Economics curriculum to help youth source food, budget and learn to spend efficiently. Sadly, they couldn’t raise the10,000 signatures necessary for their petition to be officially recognized. 4
Food Literacy
The NZ government is right in seeking to improve Maths and English literacy but should note that in subjects like Home Economics numeracy and literacy are utilised every time a recipe is followed.
Home Economics teachers encourage students to become critical thinkers about food by studying ‘on trend’ subjects like protecting the environment; food production and food systems, managing climate change and food waste; raising social awareness linking food with cultural heritage, traditions and beliefs.
By gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to make informed choices about food selection it is hoped that young people will ultimately find better health amidst the chaos of living in a world where processed and fast foods are often more accessible than nutritious options.
Should we focus on Food or Nutrition?
Students need to learn about food and basic cookery skills so they can make a simple meal and healthy snacks rather than the usual focus on baking the cheaper Anzac biscuits, Brownies etc.
Cooking is always seen as fun with an edible outcome, but where does nutrition fit into all of this?
Students can see food so it’s easy to relate to, but how can we make the many ‘invisible’ nutrients foods contain exciting too? The answer lies in Sports Nutrition.
Understanding the power of good food choices using Sports Nutrition can really capture the interest of young people today. While not every child wants to become an athlete, most parents want their children to be active, healthy, strong and able to ‘think straight’.
Learning how to maximize the energy and nutrient value in food, understanding that foods release energy at different rates and planning meals and snacks to suit peak times, students can feel and measure the difference in their mental and physical performance.
When children exercise, they create a gap between the energy and nutrients needed for that exercise and their needs for growth. Learning how to bridge these gaps well can protect young athletes from undereating and overtraining, sports injuries and failing mental and physical performance. There are a huge number of nutrients found in simple ‘real’ food that impact mental and cognitive function.5
Fried chicken and chips at the footy are not ‘sports foods. Students want to learn about the link between food & function in the human body. E.g. The impact food has on sporting performance during menstruation. What systems shut down when you lack energy and good hydration? Can athletes still perform if they exclude meat, dairy or whole food groups like bread or fat?
Developing athletes and active children need the nutrients in ‘real, whole foods’ to grow and develop without the need for highly processed bars, energy drinks, pills or supplements they’ve maybe bought cheaply over the internet.
Teachers like Nicola Potts, Food and Nutrition teacher at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream in Wellington need our support. They are using sports nutrition when teaching students how to detect conflicting messages on social media and to recognise good nutrition when reading food promotions or labels on sports products. This was an exercise included in last year’s NCEA Home Economics exam. Apparently to good effect. Food and Nutrition (Home Economics) empowers students to be “knowledgeable consumers” who learn through the food, what is the best food for their own and others health and well-being.
If you would like to help young people learn more about nutrition and how to gear their energy to suit their mental and physical demands read my latest book How to Grow an Athlete: From Playground to Podium, it’s not just for the kids. 🙂
References:
1)McConnell G; Treaty Principles Bill smashes submissions record. Stuff January 14,2025
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360547285/treaty-principles-bill-smashes-submissions-record
2) MOH:Obesity
https://www.health.govt.nz/strategies-initiatives/programmes-and-initiatives/obesity
3) Mhurchs Ni,C; Bleakley R; Cleghorn C; Alexander D. Decades old nutrition data leave NZ in the dark-updated nutrition survey needed. PHCC Feb 2025
4) Kerr-Laurie B; Erica Stanford, Please respond to our email: Teens call for compulsory lifeskills in school. The Press Sept 14,2024
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350412956/erica-stanford-please-respond-our-email-teens-call-compulsory-life-skills-schools
5) Stening LB. How to grow an athlete: From Playground to Podium. Quentin Wilson Publishing 2022
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