Pasifika lead diabetes increase - data

Following an alarming rise in New Zealanders living with diabetes across the country, Diabetes NZ says it only gets worse for Pacific communities.

New health data reveals 323,700 Kiwis are living with diabetes, a sharp increase of 95,700 cases in just three years.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Diabetes NZ chief executive Heather Verry says the statistics not only reveal the reality for New Zealanders, but also the disproportionate impact on Pacific and other ethnic groups.

"More than 12 per cent of Pacific people living in New Zealand have been diagnosed with diabetes.

"So that 12 per cent compares with 10 per cent for Indians and 7 per cent from Māori, so it is a real issue for Pacific people.

"And that doesn't include the probably 100,000 odd people, not just Pacific, who are undiagnosed and they're the ones that we're really trying to get to."

Watch Heather Verry's full interview via 531pi's FB below.

She says Diabetes NZ is working with communities to uplift education around the chronic disease so that they can reverse it, delay the onset or avoid it entirely.

"You don't have to get diabetes, it's not automatic".

Fast-food celebrations
For Pacific communities, where cultural celebrations often centre around food, making healthier choices remained a challenge.

However, Verry pointed out an encouraging shift where more gatherings now offer water instead of sugary drinks, along with healthier food options.

She also acknowledged that fast-food chains and convenience store promotions frequently targeted lower-income, diverse neighbourhoods, often leading to overconsumption of unhealthy options.

"KFC. . . we know that it's something that everybody loves and wants and it's an easy meal, especially if you're working and the families are stretched with Mum and Dad working.

"We really need to educate [the community] that this is not what they need to have on a regular basis.

"Absolutely as a treat, so absolutely every now and then but every week or every few days a week is not something that our bodies can cope with."

A common slew of items at a Pacific gathering which perhaps needs a change. Photo /Unsplash (KFC)/PMN News (talo and lamb flap).

Verry said the spike in diabetes was symptomatic of various factors such as New Zealand's aging population, the type of food consumed especially at a younger age, and ultimately, "an equitable health care system".

"Unfortunately there's a predisposition specifically for people from the Pacific and also Māori and Indian.

"So, combined it is really sort of like a new generation disease which has really become epidemic proportions."

Addressing acute conditions of diabetes
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour recently announced a Government initiative to address the gap in health access for patients with painful foot and leg conditions, who are often impacted by chronic diseases like diabetes.

The initiative will also streamline treatment and reduce barriers, where the government plans to enable podiatrists to prescribe medicines and remove the need for an additional doctor’s visit for many patients.

“This simple step means a big change for people suffering from painful foot injuries and leg conditions, and it’s also an important recognition for podiatrists,” Reti says.

“The change will see podiatrists joining other health professions with designated prescribing authority, including specifically trained nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists.

“The change will bring New Zealand into line with a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, the US, and UK.”

For the first time in 20 years, Britain’s central and southern regions have stabilised obesity rates, while Aotearoa struggles with the third highest adult obesity rates in the OECD. Photo /Unsplash.

Sugar tax for NZ?
When asked about preventative measures, Verry advocated for stronger regulatory interventions.

She highlighted Diabetes NZ's earlier call for a sugar tax, modelled on the United Kingdom's levy, which successfully pushed companies to reduce sugar content in beverages.

While New Zealand had yet to implement a sugar tax, Verry argued that similar measures could drive fast-food and drink companies to offer healthier, low-sugar options.

She also urged for stricter policies in limiting the density of fast-food outlets near schools and in vulnerable communities where fast food is often the closest and most affordable option.

“We have the regulations that sit around alcohol - I think we need to start to bring those sorts of regulations in for fast food.

"The biggest issue for us is that adolescents are now getting type 2 diabetes."