Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle
Unusual initiative aims to galvanise citizens of Pacific nations, which have highest obesity rates in the world
The prime minister of Tonga has urged fellow leaders of Pacific nations to join the fight against obesity, proposing they all participate in a year-long weight loss challenge.
Akilisi Pohiva told the Samoa Observer he was going to propose the rivalry when the leaders fulfill at the Pacific Island Forum in Nauru next month.
” We should all get together for a weight loss competition for an entire year, so when we meet the following year we will weigh in again and find who has lost the most ,” he said.
Pohiva pointed to the high rates of childhood obesity in Pacific nations as reason for concern.
” With Pacific Island leaders, we satisfy and talk and talk about this issue, yet initiatives on this issue[ are] not making an impact, it doesn’t seem to work ,” he said, adding pointedly:” But you assure all the leaders … no comment there .”
” Once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people on the same aspect and run from there ,” Pohiva told the Samoa Observer.
More than 50%- and in some, up to 90%- of the population are overweight in at least 10 Pacific countries, according to the World Health Organisation.
In 2016, all 10 of the world’s most obese countries – by the adult prevalence rate- were Pacific island nations, according to the CIA World Factbook.
Nauru topped the list, with 61% of its adult population classified as obese( having a Body Mass Index of 30 or above ). In six Pacific nations- Nauru, Cook Islands, Palau, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Niue- at least half of the adult population was obese.
Tonga ranked seventh in the world with 48.2% of the adult population classed as obese.
The replacement of traditional nutrient-rich food in favour of imported processed food has been is the responsibility of the Pacific’s weight problem.
Read more: www.theguardian.com
Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle
Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle
Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle
Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle
Biggest Loser? Tongan PM Challenges Pacific Leaders To Weight-loss Battle