In an attempt to fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, the Government is said to have launched a healthy eating campaign in schools.

This Heart Start and Food for Thought programme is reportedly being run by the Foodstuffs and The Heart Foundation.

Foodstuffs spokesman Steve Anderson said, "We educate young children aged nine to 10 on the right things to eat, to really try to address the major issue the country has with childhood obesity".

The previous reports have suggested that when it had been counted earlier almost 9% of New Zealand children were obese.

This initiative by the Foodstuffs and The Heart Foundation is said to have been hugely appreciated by the Government. Visits from nutritionists, book work and supermarket trips, the Government is said to have ranked it number one.

Health Minister, Tony Ryall asserted that good nutrition and good understanding of nutrition played a big role in understanding the whole issue and also was likely to bring about a change in lifestyle.

The Greens have however put forth a concern that this serious problem of childhood obesity should not be left completely with the corporate Companies to deal with.