Obesity is not a foregone conclusion. In the Pacific, organisations such as CTA are supporting local farming in an effort to tackle this major health concern. With the Island nations making up eight of the top 10 countries for diabetes, governments are looking for a new approach to change individual behaviour.

Obesity is a major health issue in the Pacific Islands. Close to three-quarters of the population is overweight or obese in 11 countries throughout the region. The problem is particularly acute in Samoa, where around 80% of women are obese. This rampant obesity epidemic is causing a rise in associated chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Figures released in 2015 revealed that eight of the world’s top 10 countries for diabetes were Pacific Island nations. Governments in the region are unable to meet steep treatment costs, with dialysis costing US$38,500 (€35,000) per year for a single diabetes patient. Yet without access to treatment services, one in ten diabetics will require amputation. This alarming health emergency is the result of a shift in eating habits in this part of the world over the last 50 years, where traditional diets have largely been replaced with processed, imported food.

Existing national health policies have failed to tackle this growing epidemic in non-communicable diseases (NCD), so a new approach is needed.

Our efforts are focused on changing individual behaviour, Colin Tukuitonga, director-general of the Pacific Community (SPC)

But, he argues that this strategy will not work on its own because the socio-economic environment also has an important role to play. “There is a clear relationship between poverty and obesity. Highly processed food, containing high quantities of sugar, salt and saturated fat, is cheaper to buy than local produce.”

SPC is following WHO’s lead in promoting strict regulatory and fiscal measures. “One solution is to tax products such as fizzy drinks,” explains Solène Bertrand, NCD officer at SPC. “This money can then be channelled into health programmes or subsidies for fruit and vegetables.”

Supporting local farmers is another effective way to tackle obesity. With agriculture on the decline in many Pacific Island nations, CTA is working at the regional level to improve local agriculture and fisheries throughout the chain, from production and processing to retail. It is also teaming up with chefs to help promote healthy local cuisine. Magali Reinert