JP Dr. Ramil Adhikari
The Asian Health in Aotearoa 2024 report, based on data from the New Zealand Health Survey spanning from 2002 to 2021, has revealed concerning trends in the health of Asian communities in New Zealand. One of the most worrying findings is the doubling of obesity rates within the Asian population over the last 20 years. In 2002-03, 26% of Asian adults in New Zealand were obese, but by 2019-21, this figure had risen to 53%. This significant increase in obesity is linked to higher rates of related health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.