United Nations Radio

Pacific island populations are facing serious health problems.

diet in the Pacific

The primary culprit, says the World Health Organization (WHO), is imported foods. While the Pacific islands may conjure up images of white sandy beaches, balmy breezes and carefree lifestyles, diabetes prevalence among adults in the region, for example, is among the highest in the world. WHO also says that in at least 10 Pacific island countries, more than 50 percent of the population is overweight.

A major challenge for Pacific island countries is to reinforce nutrition education in schools by promoting healthy eating practices. Dr. Temo Waqanivalu of the World Health Organization says, "Promotion of traditional foods has fallen by the wayside. They are unable to compete with the glamour and flashiness of imported foods."

At the Pacific Food Summit held in Vanuatu in April, delegates agreed that the region's governments need new laws to better regulate the food industry. And WHO recommends increasing the proportion of locally grown nutritious and less energy-dense traditional foods in the diets of Pacific islanders.

Gerry Adams, United Nations Radio
Duration: 1'15"