Frequently asked questions about obesity

This is a very common question and you will get different answers depending on who you ask. In 2013, the American Medical Association¹ voted to categorise obesity as a disease. Since then, the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS)² and many other organisations around the world have classified obesity as a disease.

We believe obesity is a disease. By labelling it as a disease it helps reduce the stigma and discrimination that many experience. The debate continues.

The prevalence of obesity among adults differed by ethnicity, with 71.3% of Pacific, 50.8% of Māori, 31.9% of European/Other and 18.5% of Asian adults obese.³ 

New Zealanders live on average 2.9 years less because of being overweight.^4,5

Overweight accounts for 7.6% of New Zealand’s health expenditure.^4,5

Overweight association with incident cases of disease: 22% Cardiovascular Disease, 16% Cancers, 80% Diabetes. ^4,5

Many people with obesity also struggle with mental health. Stigma and discrimination in many areas of your life can lead you to using food as a coping mechanism, which can increase your weight.

Studies have found that you’re more likely to be depressed if you have obesity. People with depression are more likely to become obese⁶.

People with obesity are at higher risk of developing several health conditions, including some types of cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnoea⁷.

These conditions can reduce your enjoyment of life and, even sometimes, lead to death.

A doctor will usually check your weight and height and then determine your Body Mass Index (BMI). It’s a very general measure that helps put you into a weight category: underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. ^{8 9 10}