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Weight Management

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Weight Management

Obesity is considered a major risk factor for many chronic, debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Over the past two decades the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in New Zealand... Read more

Obesity is considered a major risk factor for many chronic, debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Over the past two decades the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in New Zealand adults. Obesity is more common in Māori, Pacific and South Asian populations compared with other New Zealanders.

Lifestyle approaches involve combined (eg, food, activity and behavioural based approaches – the FAB approach) rather than single factor approaches to weight loss.  The FAB approach should be the first treatment option for weight loss and sustained for weight maintenance.

Maintaining a healthy body weight requires an environment and society where individuals, families and whanau, and communities are supported to eat well and live physically active lives.

Movie snacks can equal three McD's burgers

News Item

by Catherine Robinson • posted on 24 November 2009

Location

National

Published: 7:21PM Friday November 20, 2009

Source:

Moviergoers who tuck into a medium popcorn and a soft drink could be eating the equivalent of three McDonald's quarter-pounder burgers topped with a dozen scoops of butter, according to a US study.

A laboratory analysis of snacks sold at US cinemas and commissioned by the Center for Science and Public Interest (CSPI) found a medium popcorn and soft drink contained 1,160 calories and three days' worth - 60 grams - of saturated fat.

"Who expects about 1,500 calories and three days' worth of heart-stopping fat in a popcorn and soda combo? That's the saturated fat of a stick of butter and the calories of two sticks of butter," said CSPI senior nutritionist Jayne Hurley in a statement.

"You might think you're getting Bambi, but you're really getting Godzilla."

She said even sharing a small portion of popcorn between two people would mean consuming a day's worth of saturated fat, the kind that clogs arteries and is linked to heart disease.

Hurley said every tablespoon of "buttery" oil topping adds another 130 calories according to the study published in Nutrition Action Healthletter.

"Asking for topping is like asking for oil on French fries or potato chips," she added.

Reuters/TVNZ

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