Nutrition & Physical Activity

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

Nutrition and Physical Activity health promotion seeks to improve food behaviours and physical activity levels in populations by increasing fruit and vegetable intakes, reducing fat and sugar intakes and increasing physical activity in people’s everyday lives.

Nutrition promotion includes

• Reducing environments that encourage obesity
• Improving food security
• Increasing breastfeeding rates

Physical Activity Promotion includes

• Reducing sedentary lifestyles
• Reducing environments that encourage obesity

Importance of Nutrition and Physical Activity

• Good nutrition and being sufficiently physically active can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke - the three leading causes of death for New Zealanders
• A significant number of New Zealanders report running out of food, or being unable to eat properly because of lack of money
• A high proportion of New Zealanders are overweight or obese. Obesity is one of the most serious risk factors for a number of life-threatening diseases and morbidity
• Rates of obesity in Maori and Pacific Islanders are higher than for New Zealand Europeans, which leads to further disparities in obesity related diseases
• Lack of physical activity is estimated to account for over 2000 deaths in New Zealand per year. At least one-third of New Zealand adults are insufficiently physically active.

Want to learn more about healthy kai?

Te Mahi Kai provides a free local training opportunity in Tairawhiti - the Community Nutrition "Train the Trainers" course.

Register for the one week block course 20-24 February 2012, or the May 2012 course (five Wednesdays in May). Download the Te Mahi Kai panui and registration form.

For more information contact Nicki Mathieson by email nicki.mathieson@tdh.org.nz

Healthy Kai

Te Hotu Manawa Māori delivers health services 'by Māori for Māori'. In doing so, Te Hotu Manawa Māori reinforces the principles and values of both tikanga and kaupapa Māori imperatives. Go to www.tehotumanawamaori for newsletters, training opportunities and recipes.

www.feedingourfamilies.org.nz has quick, low-cost food ideas, recipes, tips & information about healthy eating for your whanau.

 Give your kids a head-start with breakfast. Check out www.breakfasteaters.org.nz for fast, yummy breakfast ideas and to find out why breakfast-eaters have it better.

General information on healthy eating and nutrition is available from the Heart Foundation,  Diabetes New Zealand,  Cancer Society of New Zealand.

Vegetables New Zealand has everything you ever wanted to know about vegetables, plus super-tasty recipes.

I Love Eggs NZ - All about eggs, this website includes tasty egg recipes.

Cool Kids Cooking - Easy, fun meal ideas for children.

 

Get moving

Bike Wise www.bikewise.co.nz  promotes safety and biking as a sustainable, fun, healthy and enjoyable means of transport.

Active Smart - includes running, walking and cycling plans.

Iron Māori triathlon

Rangatahi Tu Rangatira - traditional Māori sports and games.

Women - get inspired and get active with the REAL Women’s Duathlon Series

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).