Prevalence of obesity in Pacific and Indian Ocean populations

Abstract

Many populations of the Pacific and Indian Ocean region have undergone rapid development and modernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Moreover, there has been a concomitant change in the disease profile, such that non-communicable diseases have surpassed infectious diseases as major health problems and causes of mortality. Within this scenario there has been an increase in the frequency and extent of obesity in these populations. Although obesity was not previously unknown, it is now much more prevalent, particularly amongst urban dwellers, and associated health problems are becoming apparent. During the past 15 years we have performed medical surveys on representative community samples in several Pacific Ocean and one Indian Ocean island population. The surveys were designed primarily to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and cardiovascular diseases. From these data we have been able to estimate the prevalence of obesity in each population.