Healthy Food ‘Too Expensive’ for Maori

By EASTON, Paul

DESPITE the threat of obesity and heart disease, some Maori view healthy food as too expensive and time-consuming to prepare.

Work with Maori focus groups by the Health Sponsorship Council has found they understand what healthy food is, but not why eating healthy food is so important.

Nutritious meals are seen as expensive, needing time, effort and planning. Resistance to healthy food by family members is also regarded as a source of conflict to be avoided.

The research found heavy consumption of convenient, fast, fatty food. High fat diets are thought to be a big contributor to obesity, heart and kidney disease among Maori.

Dietitian Hiki Pihema said few Maori looked for help with healthy eating. The key was to take a family- based approach to the problem.

“The whole whanau needs to be brought into the picture, as often bad habits start in childhood. Kids often go from house to house to house and the whanau as a whole needs to be aware and take some responsibility for healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, in many places fizzy drink is cheaper than milk, but milk is still the better choice, and water is free. I’m horrified to see cases of type- II diabetes in teenagers today.”

According to the Health Ministry, Maori have on average the poorest health of any ethnic group in New Zealand, with higher-than- average rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and heart failure.

The Maori Party wants gst removed from basics such as fruit, vegetables and milk to push healthy eating. “Under the pressure of other costs such as fuel and housing, people are being forced to make a choice whether healthy food is worth it,” co- leader Tariana Turia said.

Dietetic Association talks in Hamilton next week will include Maori diet change during the past 200 years.

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