Tonga’s first Guideline for Healthy Living and national campaign was launched on 13 April in an effort to tackle the health problems arising out of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of deaths in the country.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku called it a milestone in the national effort to promote good health and well-being in Tonga, at the launch held at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre in Nuku'alofa.

“The current health status of the people of Tonga as mentioned by the CEO for Health, together with the increasing evidence of the relationship between overall eating patterns and risk of NCDs in Tonga, are sufficiently well established to support the need for Tonga to have a food-based Guidelines."

He congratulated the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and stakeholders involved in the development of this guideline. He also commended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the financial and technical support towards making the project a success.

MAFF Minister, Lord Fohe said the leading cause of deaths in Tonga today was still due to NCDs.

“This new work highlights the special attention by Government to implement the guidelines for healthy living for Tonga. Let us encourage each other to eat healthier food and engage in physical activity, and reduce our consumption of alcohol and tobacco use. There is a big task ahead of us, although hard it is not impossible, so let just join forces with the Health Promotion Foundation to change our lifestyle and contribute to a healthier Tonga,” he said.

NCDs status

CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said he was very glad to see that through the leadership of the PM, Minister of Health and others, attention re-addressed the health problems caused by NCDs, since everything had stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the past three-years.

In stating figures to update the country's health status, he said around 70% of deaths annually in Tonga were caused or had connection to NCDs, with major risk factors stemming from tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets. 

According to a STEP report 2017 (18-69 years-old) 97.3% of the population do not eat the right food, which the WHO advises five servings of fruits/vegetables per day.

An estimated 24.5% of the population smoke, with men smoking more than women. While, 39.85% are not taking up exercise say on a daily basis as recommended by the WHO, he said.

In regards to obesity as measured by BMI, 77% of the population are obese and the rest of the 16% overweight, (female more than male). Obesity described as BMI more than 30, he said.

Alcohol

In Tonga, 83% don’t drink (one of the best rates in the Pacific) but men are three times more likely to drink alcohol compared to women.

However, kava seems to be associated with alcohol (60% of kava drinkers also drink alcohol) and it was revealed that of those drinking kava, 74% admitted to eating a lot, after drinking kava, as stated in the report, he said.

NCDs risk factors falls to younger ages

Another set of figures were the combined risk factors found in age groups.

Dr 'Akau'ola said 32% have 1-2 of the risk factors, 67.8% had 3-5 risk factors. Only 0.1% had no risk factor.

In the age group 18-29 years, 43.1% have 1-2 risk factors, and 56% have 3-5 risk factors

In the age group 45-69 years, 25% have 1-2 risk factors; and 74% has to 3-5 risk factors.

“We need to take note of this because we see that the risk factors are found in the lower age groups. However, despite these figures it is through guidelines such as this that we work together to overcome this.”

At the same time, he said work had been done in Tonga and in Pacific region to address the common problem of NCDs, including the Pacific NCD road map and Tonga’s NCD strategy to prevent/control NCD, among others.

“We hope for the best in our journey and as theme said we are preservering together for a healthier Tonga,” he said.