The high cost of living in New Zealand has prevented children from leading healthy lives, according to a study published on Thursday.

The costs of groceries in New Zealand have risen historically over the past six years, making it virtually impossible for families on benefits to feed children healthily.

For a household of two adults and two children, the price of lower-cost healthy foods increased by 35 per cent between 2018 and 2023.

Researchers from the University of Auckland, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and Massey University have said that for a family whose children were growing over that time, additional food is needed, and price increases saw the cost of healthy groceries increase by more than 50 per cent.

The study said the cost would be from 10,420 NZ dollars (6,257.78 U.S. dollars) to 16,083 NZ dollars ($9,658.73).

“What we eat affects not only our physical health but also mental health,’’ said lead researcher Joanna Strom of the University of Auckland.

More than one-third of all children are overweight or obese, and only 5.4 per cent of children aged two to 14 eat the recommended number of servings of vegetables each day.

The research in New Zealand showed.

These statistics were worse for Maori, Pacific, disabled and low-income children, creating inequities that persist over people’s lives, especially with chronic illnesses, it said.

There has been a year-on-year increase in these lower cost healthy foods over the past six years, which is higher than the food price index overall, which is concerning, Ms Strom said.

The research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, could inform policy aimed at the whole food system.

She said it included incentives for farmers and growers to sell food locally as well as local solutions such as free school meals.

Elaine Rush, an AUT professor, said New Zealand has high rates of child poverty and malnutrition, which will impact the future health needs and productivity of this country. 

(Xinhua/NAN)