Sports minister Nandi Outerbridge encouraged people to become more active to try to beat major health concerns as she cut the ribbon at a new fitness studio.

Performing the official opening at Beyond Lucky, Ms Outerbridge said: “Anything we can do to encourage our citizens to be more healthy and active will pay off in spades later down the road.

“Overall, three in four adults are overweight or obese, and one in four has at least one chronic non-communicable disease. This reduces quality of life for our people, and increases the need for expensive medical treatments for diseases like cancer, circulatory disease or diabetes.

“Poor habits on nutrition and exercise begin in childhood, so if we are to reverse this trend, we have to address our young people.”

She added that the Premier’s Youth Fitness Programme, launched in schools last year, is designed to help our children on the path to a lifetime of good health.

Beyond Lucky, in Burnaby Street, Hamilton, offers personal and group fitness coaching and services including yoga, various types of pilates and barre.