Birth weight in Fiji and Western Samoa: A Pacific prescription for pregnancy?

Abstract

Limited data on birth weights in South Pacific island populations are available. Data which are available from Fiji and Western Samoa reveal remarkably favorable outcomes of pregnancy in the indigenous populations. The favorable birth weight in the indigenous Fijians is in striking contrast to the high incidence of low birth weight in the Indian segment which constitutes over half the population of Fiji. Physical and emotional relaxation and generous food intake appear to be the most conspicuous factors in the favorable outcome of pregnancy in the Fijians and Western Samoans, with large maternal stature and relative absence of toxemia and anemia being significant intermediate determinants.