Levels of Obesity

IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in New Zealanders to rise by 0.2 percentage points in 2024-25, to 66.5% of the population. The level of sport and active recreation participation in New Zealand reflects the engagement of individuals in activities designed to counter obesity. This indicator therefore has a strong negative correlation. The level of sport and active recreation participation is projected to rise in the current year, placing downward pressure on obesity levels. Additionally, fruit and vegetable consumption is expected to rise in the current year, supporting a decrease in the level of obesity.

Although adult obesity has risen strongly over the long term, growth in the level of obesity has largely stabilised over the past decade. Ongoing efforts to educate and promote healthy lifestyles have placed downward pressure on obesity rates. These efforts have included increasing access to sports programs and implementing regulations, such as health star ratings, which allow consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing food. Increasing image consciousness, particularly among young adults, has also constrained obesity levels over the past five years.