NZ Food, NZ Children

NZ Ministry of Health Web Page
Printed 11/26/2009 12:14:58 PM Back Print

NZ Food, NZ Children
Findings of the 2002 National Children's Nutrition Survey - Pacific

Date of publication: November 2003

HP3735

The 2002 National Children's Nutrition Survey was a crosssectional population survey on a randomly selected sample of 3275 New Zealand children aged 5 to 14 years from 172 schools throughout the country. Information was obtained on: food and nutrient intake, frequently eaten foods, eating patterns, physical activity patterns, and dental health. Measures of body size and nutrition-related clinical measures of iron, zinc and iodine status were obtained.

A total of 1058 Pacific children took part in the survey including children who were: Samoan (52%), Tongan (21%), Cook Island Maori (14%), Niuean (7%), Tokelauan (2%), Fijian (2%) and other (2%).

		number
	Overall	3275
	Pacific	1058
	NZEO	993
	Maori	1224

The primary purpose of the survey was to provide information that can be used to improve, promote and protect the health status of children in New Zealand.

Food choices

One half of Pacific children ate the recommended number of serving of fruit (at least two per day). This is higher than overall levels for younger children.
59% of boys and 65% of girls ate the recommended number of serving of vegetables (three or more per day). This is higher than overall levels for younger children.
About 90% of Pacific children consumed white bread, which was the most commonly eaten bread. Over one third used butter on their bread most of the time.
Over one half of Pacific children consumed taro at least once per week.

Nutrients

37% of boys and 42% of girls ate the dietary guideline for percentage of energy derived from fat, and this percentage decreased with the older children.
Pacific children had low intakes of dietary fibre, vitamin A, riboflavin, folate and calcium.
Iron status was satisfactory, apart from girls who had reached the age of menstruation.
Iodine status of children was indicative of mild iodine deficiency. So if using salt it is important to use iodised salt.

Overweight and obesity

One third of Pacific boys and girls were overweight and a further 26% of boys and 31% of girls were obese. The rates were highest for 11–14-year-old girls where a total of 71% were overweight or obese.

Food patterns

just over one half of Pacific children usually had something to eat before they left home in the morning for school.
Over 13% of Pacific children brought most of the food they consumed at school from the canteen or tuckshop and this was highest (close to one quarter) for children aged 11–14 years.
Approximately 47% of parents/caregivers of Pacific children reported that their household could always afford to eat properly.
Almost one half of parents/caregivers of Pacific children reported that their household often or sometimes ate less because of lack of money.

Activity levels

Pacific girls aged 11–14 years were less active than boys during the weekend and after school.
Hours spent watching tv/videos during the week and on the weekend doubled from the youngest to the oldest group of Pacific children.

Further information

More detailed results can be found in the report:
NZ Food NZ Children: Key results of the 2002 National Children’s Nutrition Survey.

This book is available in local libraries and is on the Ministry of Health website at
http://www.moh.govt.nz/phi

More information on the survey can be obtained from:
Public Health Intelligence
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington
Tel: +64 (4) 496 2000
Fax: +64 (4) 496 2340
www.moh.govt.nz/phi
email phi@moh.govt.nz

Advice on nutrition can be obtained from dietitians at your local Public Health Unit.

Document availability

This publication is available in hard copy, PDF format, or online in full text HTML:

Download NZ Food, NZ Children - Pacific results summary