Calls for an overhaul of our food policies to help reduce bulging Kiwi waistlines.

Auckland University research suggests more needs to be done to promote healthy eating, particularly among school children.

Professor of population nutrition and global health, Boyd Swinburn told Mike Hosking a number of steps could be taken.

"Regulating junk food marketing to children, having a substantial tax on sugary drinks and ensuring they have healthy snacks in schools and early childhood centres."

He said a number of steps could be taken, including regulating junk food advertising and introducing a sugar tax.

"We did a survey last year of schools and less than half of them had food policies. There's an enormous amount of unhealthy foods particularly in secondary schools."

LISTEN ABOVE AS BOYD SWINBURN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING