Nigel Latta 6 - Is Sugar the New Fat? (Episode Six)

In this episode of Nigel Latta's 2014 documentary series, the psychologist addresses a health crisis "hidden in plain sight". With over 65% of Kiwis considered obese and a depressing number of Pasifika and Māori developing Type 2 diabetes, Latta asks if Aotearoa is caught in a crisis that will cost billions to fix. He talks to American paediatric endocrinologist Robert Lustig about the food industry's reliance on sugar, and on a supermarket visit finds the sweet stuff in most items. Latta has a blood test and the results shock him — but not as much as witnessing preschoolers having rotten teeth pulled under anesthetic.

What's becoming really clear to me as I'm wandering around and looking at all the stuff that I would normally buy...it's not so much that sugar's hidden, but it's kind of hidden in plain sight because it's in almost everything.

– Presenter Nigel Latta visits a supermarket, early in this episode

Key Cast & Crew

Dominic Fryer

Cinematographer

DJ Stipsen

Cinematographer

Arwen O'Connor

Line Producer

Simon Coldrick

Editor

Nigel Latta

Presenter

Cameron Bennett

Director