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1823 days ago

Have Your Cake, But Dont Eat It

Marie from Waikanae

I had to chuckle reading the events postings in Kapiti News this week. Lions are selling their Christmas cakes and also doing diabetes testing at the strawberry festival this Saturday. So, buy a cake but please don't eat it.!!
Less amusing was the fearmongering about diabetes from Westbury Pharmacy. According to their quick quiz, one is three times more at risk of diabetes aged over 65. Where is the evidence for this? Maybe the risk is higher, but three times higher? I'm skeptical.



According to Westbury's quiz, with a high score on weight to height (most of us), and age over 65 one is at high risk of diabetes. Other lifestyle indicators such as exercise and diet don't seem to factor highly. However weight to height calculations (or Body Mass Index) can be misleading. According to BMI the All Blacks are morbidly obese. This is because the calculation lumps fat and muscle together in the same category. It is possible to be moderately overweight, have good muscle weight and be fighting fit. So unless you are morbidly obese, treat BMI with a grain of salt.
The Westbury ad also offers free blood pressure tests and links this to diabetes. This is news to me. Do they have any risk ratio for this? The main risk of high blood pressure is the stress it places on the heart and vascular system. The heart has to work harder. Hence cardiac conditions and stroke can occur. I would conclude that risk of diabetes from high blood pressure is low.

The combination of unreliable BMI and overinflated age risks makes this quiz a bit dodgy in my view. These type of ads also cause anxiety and unnecessary worry for older people. If you are worried about diabetes, don't rely on Westbury's quiz. Go and see your GP.
Dr Marie O'Sullivan
Health Advocate, and former lecturer, Public Health

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.1% Yes
    85.1% Complete
  • 13.8% No
    13.8% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2348 votes
5 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Food Recall: Equal brand European Dark Chocolate

James from Waikanae

A specific batch of Equal brand European Dark Chocolate is being recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (milk).

People with a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. If you are not allergic or intolerant to milk, this recall does not affect you.

READ MORE: www.mpi.govt.nz...