Leigh Elder

Like it or not we are all involved in some way with the obesity and diabetes epidemics. We either have problems ourselves, or know someone close to us who has. And hey, as taxpayers the cost of all this mayhem is unbelievable.

Health authorities are predicting numbers to increase significantly during the next few years. Eat For Keeps' experience in helping thousands of people in this problem area leads us to believe that with the right education programme in place, the numbers will reduce.

We have launched a dynamic free programme across the country, called The Big NZ Challenge, and are delighted New World Mount Maunganui has agreed to enter a team in the challenge and is encouraging their staff and customers to join and follow the 10 life-saving principles that prove to be so effective.

I remember, a couple of years ago at New World Brookfield, where we had some notable staff successes being introduced to a customer Eric Tucker, who had read our first book and subsequently lost 27 kg and come back from the cusp of type 2 diabetes – a life-changing experience.

The average supermarket now has more than 30,000 different food items. Our view is all biologically safe food has its place – it's really a matter of learning how to navigate this vast space and make the right choices.

So, get involved yourself – tell your friends, get a workplace, family or club team in the challenge –we need all hands to the pump to fix this massive problem.

It's simple, free and easy – go to our website, look for ‘Big NZ' and get started. For people who would like to have the complete picture, our new book ‘The Eat For Keeps Experience' is available in book shops, on the website, and as an e-book. I also have some limited space available for private consultations.