A Case Study of Metabolic Syndrome without Hypertension in a Fijian Coastal Fishing Village

A conceptual framework for managing modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in Fiji

“…[115][116][117] Prior to colonization by the British, food consumption patterns included root crops, tropical fruits and vegetables, fish and game, all foods rich in nutrients and low in processed sugars and fat. 117,118 Today, the main drivers of food choices appear to be cost and convenience. Overall, the food environment is unsupportive of healthy eating for many, particular urban dwellers, where prices for local foods such as fish and root crops are high relative to the average wage.…”

“…The rate of diabetes in Fiji has also been attributed to physical inactivity and poor food choices. 117 Decreased consumption of traditional root crops in Fiji has been attributed to urbanization, the abolition of a regulation requiring Fijian males to produce sufficient crops for their families, and the substitution of root crops with cereals. 117 The decreased consumption of fruit and green vegetables in Fiji is due in part to the ruralurban shift, including the decrease in space for gardening.…”

“…117 Decreased consumption of traditional root crops in Fiji has been attributed to urbanization, the abolition of a regulation requiring Fijian males to produce sufficient crops for their families, and the substitution of root crops with cereals. 117 The decreased consumption of fruit and green vegetables in Fiji is due in part to the ruralurban shift, including the decrease in space for gardening. The recent importation of processed white flour, white rice and added sugars has contributed to the increasing rates of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol.…”

“…The recent importation of processed white flour, white rice and added sugars has contributed to the increasing rates of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol. 117 Increased physical inactivity, along with the type and frequency of physical activities, has been attributed to the rise in urbanization. 20,120 For example, urbandwelling Fijian adults engaged in less frequent and less strenuous activities than rural dwellers.…”

“…39 The prevalence of obesity has been exacerbated by the 'Westernization' of Fiji, in particular the resultant increase in physical inactivity that arises from urbanization, along with poor dietary choices that result from exposure to westernized culture. [115][116][117] Prior to colonization by the British, food consumption patterns included root crops, tropical fruits and vegetables, fish and game, all foods rich in nutrients and low in processed sugars and fat. 117,118 Today, the main drivers of food choices appear to be cost and convenience.…”