University of Otago physiotherapy graduate Dr Ricky Bell. Photo: SuppliedUniversity of Otago graduate Dr Ricky Bell says "you don’t have to be Einstein" to realise that current approaches to countering obesity are "simply not working" in this country. Dr Bell, who has lived in or near Kaitaia, Northland, over the past 10 years, said his whanau (tribal family) was proud he had completed the PhD. His research had identified the limitations of the traditional "biomedical model" of obesity, and "the poor efficacy of this mechanistic public health approach for Maori with obesity". And the collaborative research platform had helped identify some of the potential "drivers for obesity in their communities", he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 19, 2018 16:30 UTC