Tonga's big eaters, dying younger [1]
Friday, January 22, 2016 - 15:19. Updated on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 15:41.
By Eleanor Gee
Naming Tonga the fattest nation in the world, a BBC report on 18 January 2016 says that consumption of imported mutton flaps is to blame. But Tonga’s Director of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola, says that it’s the quantity of food Tongans eat that’s the main problem, not mutton flaps.
“Tongans eat too much carbs, twice the sugar, too much fat content and it all adds up. They’re just making unhealthy choices,” he told Matangi Tonga today.
“Tongans also don’t walk as much as they used to, even for short distances. And there are a number of factors contributing to obesity,” said Dr Akauola.
Major health problem
Obesity leads to diseases and Tonga is facing a major health problem with the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A 2013 United Nations report to combat NCDs in Tonga states that over the years globalisation has caused a shift in Tongan tradition resulting in the change of dietary behaviour. The majority of Tongan food has been replaced by imported food. This has largely been influenced by a shift from labour intensive activities to capital economic development.
Farmers have also moved from expensive labour methods to foreign farming methods resulting in the large use of pesticides. These changes have contributed to the rise of NCDs. In addition are other risk factors associated with NCDs such as smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of physical activity.
Imports
The reliance on imported food is evident in statistics, which show that in 2014 imported chilled and frozen meats amounted to nearly $35 million pa’anga, with poultry $23 million of this amount, while sheep meats were only $5.2 million. Prepared and preserved fish and meat amounted to nearly $11 million pa’anga - this includes sausages, tinned meat and tinned fish. Sugar (raw and confectionary sugar) amounted to over $6 million pa’anga. Sweets such as cakes, biscuits, breads and pastry amounted to over $4 million pa’anga, while ice cream and edible ice amounted to over $2 million pa’anga.
The amount of additives (natural and artificial) in processed foods and meats that are imported and consumed is unknown.
Dying younger
According to a 2012 WHO report on Tonga Health Service Delivery Profile, the average Tongan life expectancy has fallen and is estimated at 69 years for females and 65 years for males due to NCDs. The Tongan government is aware of the health problem and was the first Pacific islands country to launch a National Strategy to Prevent NCDs in 2003 and a second national strategy (2010-15) with subsequent plans to focus on preventive health and reducing NCDs.
Dr 'Akau'ola said that to date, results on the success of these strategies is unknown and that the data was still being established. He also said that the health department is working with policy and law makers and trade on long term preventative measures.
Sources:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Fr... [2]
http://www.spc.int/prism/tonga/component/advlisting/?view=download&fileI... [3]
http://www.wpro.who.int/health_services/service_deliver [4] y_profile_tonga.pdf