The New South Wales Health Minister has responded to a snapshot of the state’s diet and exercise issues.

The Department of Health has issued a report warning that obesity is becoming “normalised” in NSW.

It found that:

  • 22 per cent of the state's children are overweight or obese
  • 5 per cent eat enough vegetables
  • 64 per cent eat enough fruit
  • 28 per cent get sufficient exercise
  • 44 per cent spend more than two hours a day on a sedentary activity

The Government has a target of reducing child obesity rates by 5 per cent over the next decade, but Health Minister Jillian Skinner admits it will be difficult.

“It is a tall order but if you don't have aspirational targets then you don't try hard enough,” Ms Skinner said.

Director of Preventative Health Professor Chris Rissel said the Government had a number of ideas to help reduce the sate’s wasitlines.

Programs that encourage exercise and healthy diets, such as installing iced water bubblers in schools and teaching parents better shopping habits are being rolled out.

“We want to make healthy normal. So that people do healthy things as normal behaviour and not default to the junk food option,” Mr Rissel said.

“The messages are about increasing physical activity. It is about eating a modest amount and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.”