There's a call for an overhaul of aged care to properly care for for the obese.
Twenty-four percent of adults above the age of 75 are living with obesity - one percent of them at an extreme level.
- Kiwis don't like being told they're morbidly obese - study
- Sugary drinks even worse than sugary food - study
Victoria University researchers studied three aged care facilities on how prepared they were for dealing with obesity.
Research carried out by Dr Caz Hales and Dr Helen Rook, of the university's faculty of health, says while facilities are willing to care for these residents, they don't have the right equipment, spaces or training needed.
"Little work has been done to analyse how aged care facilities can support these residents," Dr Hales said.
- Mexico's sugar tax is reducing soft-drink sales - study
- Sugary drinks even worse than sugary food - study
The research suggests the process for admitting residents to aged care facilities was also "fraught with issues".
Such issues cause problems for the residents, carers, and the system as a whole, Dr Hales said.
"There is a high degree of compassion and willingness to provide care, but changes need to be made in order to avoid increased financial burden on the sector and on residents and their families, an under-resourced workforce, and stigmatisation of people living with obesity."
The research will be presented at the New Zealand Aged Care Association Conference in Wellington, which starts on Tuesday.
Newshub.
