Obesity and body fat distribution in the New Zealand population

Aims. To report the current prevalence of obesity and body fat distribution in the New Zealand population and to determine if there is a trend to incr easing obesity and changes in body fat distribution. Methods. Body weight, height, two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), and waist and hip circumferences were measured on 4420 New Zealanders as part o f the 1997 National Nutrition Survey (NNS97). These results are compared wi th data from the 1977 National Heart Foundation Survey (n=1800) and the 198 9 Life in New Zealand Survey (LINZ89) (n=3300). Results. 35% of the population (40.4% males, 30.1% females) were classified as overweight and a further 17% as obese (14.7% males, 19.2% females) in N NS97 compared to 32% overweight and 11% obese in LINZ89. Body weight and bo dy mass index have increased in the last two decades. In addition, there ha s been an increasing trend towards central obesity as estimated by waist to hip ratio and subscapular to triceps ratio. Conclusions. The increase in body weight, obesity, central obesity, and the proportion of the population likely to exhibit health risk indicators pres ents an increasing health problem in New Zealand.