The rising cost of food in New Zealand, particularly nutritious items such as fruits and vegetables, is becoming a critical factor in the country's obesity crisis. With the prices of healthy food increasing every year since 2016, low-income households are finding it increasingly difficult to afford nutritious meals. The result? A growing reliance on calorie-dense but nutrient-poor options like takeaways and fizzy drinks. This is contributing to the rising obesity rates in the country.

Tauranga weight loss surgeon Dr. Mafi, who specializes in gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries, sees firsthand how obesity is affecting New Zealanders' health. We are now witnessing a troubling trend where people are turning to cheap, unhealthy food options due to the high cost of nutritious food. The long-term effects are not just seen in the rise in obesity rates, but also in the increased risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

According to the Ministry of Health, one in three New Zealanders are obese, making New Zealand the third-highest ranked OECD country for obesity. This issue is exacerbated by food insecurity, with one in five children living in households that face moderate to severe food insecurity. The pandemic has further worsened the economic divide, making it even harder for low-income families to access healthy food.

Recent research led by the University of Auckland found that the cost of a nutritious diet has skyrocketed by 35 percent between 2018 and 2023. Dr. Joanna Strom, the study’s lead author, tracked the weekly cost of a healthy food basket for a family of four and discovered a significant rise in prices—particularly over the last two years. The weekly cost of feeding two parents and two children increased from $230 in 2018 to $309 in 2023, a leap that is out of reach for many low-income households.

Strom explains that for families on a tight budget, it's no surprise they turn to cheaper, unhealthy alternatives. "At the end of the day, parents just want to make sure their children aren’t hungry," she says. "With the cost of fruits and vegetables so high, it’s often more affordable to buy larger quantities of junk food."

For those unable to afford a nutritious diet, the consequences are severe. Poor nutrition impacts children’s physical and mental development, making it difficult for them to concentrate in school and develop healthy habits. Dr. Mafi adds that while surgeries such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve can be life-saving interventions for those battling severe obesity, they do not address the root cause of the issue: access to healthy, affordable food.

The link between food insecurity and obesity is clear. Low-income households spend less on fruits, vegetables, and grocery food and more on ready-to-go meals and takeaways. Between 2007 and 2019, the weekly spend on takeaways grew by 81.3 percent in low-income households. This shift is contributing to the growing obesity epidemic, which is seen most starkly in disadvantaged communities.

The impact of poor nutrition extends beyond physical health. Strom’s research highlights that proper nutrition is crucial for mental well-being and educational outcomes. "Food and mental health are linked," she says. "Children need proper nutrition not just for physical growth but to succeed in school and maintain their mental health."

Healthcare professionals addressing New Zealand’s obesity crisis requires more than just medical intervention. People need to rethink our approach to food accessibility. If the New Zealand Government is serious about reducing obesity rates, it needs to ensure that all families, regardless of income, have access to nutritious food.

Strom advocates for policies that tackle food insecurity head-on, whether through income support, housing cost reductions, or reforms to the food system. They believe that healthier choices should be easier and more affordable, so families don’t have to compromise their well-being for the sake of affordability.

The rising cost of food is pushing many New Zealanders toward unhealthy eating habits, contributing to the growing obesity epidemic. Without urgent action to address food insecurity, the country may continue to see climbing rates of obesity and its associated health problems.

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