"...obesity is predicted to overtake smoking as the leading risk factor for disease by 2016."

Race to stop us eating our way to early death

By Jamie Morton

The figures are as compelling as they are frightening. According to a recent Ministry of Health report, poor nutrition and obesity combined account for 11 per cent of health loss - death and disability - in New Zealand.

That is even greater than the loss attributable to tobacco.

Based on present rates of increase, obesity is predicted to overtake smoking as the leading risk factor for disease by 2016.