Assessing the progress on the implementation of policy and legislation actions to address the Non-Communicable Diseases crisis in the Pacific

Tin, Si Thu Win; Kubuabola, Ilisapeci; Snowdon, Wendy; Cash, Haley L; Na'ati, Elisiva; Waqa, Gade; Moadsiri, Ada; Bertrand, Solene; Ravuvu, Amerita

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272424

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This is currently monitored through the Pacific Monitoring Alliance for NCD Action (MANA) framework. According to the Pacific MANA, 15 PICTs have included physical activity as a compulsory component of the school curriculum 98 . School interventions that include promotion of daily physical activity also need to be strengthened in the region; like the Healthy Child Promising Future project implemented in Fiji and Wallis-and-Futuna, which assigns 30 minutes of daily physical activity to be included in school time 99 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence, causes and contexts of childhood overweight and obesity in the Pacific region: a scoping review

Bertrand-Protat,

Chen,

Jonquoy

et al. 2023

Open Res Europe

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Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major threat to health and development and account for 75% of deaths in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs). Childhood obesity has been identified as a main risk factor for NCDs later in life. This review compiled overweight and obesity (OWOB) prevalence (anthropometric data) for children aged six to 12 years old living in the Pacific region and identified possible related causes. Methods We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect for articles published between January 1980 and August 2022. We also searched for technical reports from Ministries of Health. Guided by the eligibility criteria, two authors independently read the selected articles and reports to extract and summarise relevant information related to overweight and obesity. Results We selected 25 articles, two worldwide analyses of population-based studies and four national reports. Information revealed that childhood OWOB prevalence reached 55% in some PICTs. This review also indicated that age, gender and ethnicity were linked to children’s weight status, while dietary practices, sleep time and level of physical activity played a role in OWOB development, as well as the living environment (socio-economic status and food availability), parenting practices and education level. Conclusion This review highlighted that anthropometric data are limited and that comparisons are difficult due to the paucity of surveys and non-standardized methodology. Main causes of overweight and obesity are attributed to individual characteristics of children and behavioural patterns, children’s socio-economic environment, parenting practices and educational level. Reinforcement of surveillance with standardised tools and metrics adapted to the Pacific region is crucial and further research is warranted to better understand root causes of childhood OWOB in the Pacific islands. More robust and standardized anthropometric data would enable improvements in national strategies, multisectoral responses and innovative interventions to prevent and control NCDs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As part of healthy lifestyles, this review found that sleep duration was linked to childhood OWOB. The association between sleep and weight status is well documented in the literature 98 , but there is limited anthropometric data available in the Pacific. WHO has released sleep time guidelines only for children under five years 99 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, causes and contexts of childhood overweight and obesity in the Pacific region: a scoping review

Bertrand-Protat,

Chen,

Jonquoy

et al. 2023

Open Res Europe

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“…Food imports are influenced by price and availability fluctuations, as occurred during the global financial crisis in 2008 and more recently due to constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic [ 3 ]. Trade agreements and efforts to support subsistence and commercial food production, for example through fishing [ 4 ], are in place across the Pacific but they are hampered by a lack of regional coordination and development assistance, and they seldom affect the livelihoods of the most vulnerable such as those living on outer Islands or in peri-urban areas [ 5 ]. This means that most Pacific countries are vulnerable to food security threats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults

Webster,

Moala,

McKenzie

et al. 2023

Global Health

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Introduction Food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrition and increased rates of chronic disease. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported food insecurity and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, in two regional districts of Central Fiji, as part of a broader program of work on strengthening and monitoring food policy interventions. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. Methods Seven hundred adults were randomly sampled from the Deuba and Waidamudamu districts of Viti Levu, Fiji. Interview administered surveys were conducted by trained research assistants with data collected electronically. Information was collected on demographics and health status, food security, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, and dietary intake. Food insecurity was assessed using nine questions adapted from Fiji’s 2014/5 national nutrition survey, measuring markers of food insecurity over the last 12 months. Additional questions were added to assess the perceived effect of COVID-19 on responses. To address the secondary aim, interview administered 24-hour diet recalls were conducted using Intake24 (a computerised dietary recall system) allowing the calculation of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intakes for each person. Weighted linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. Results 534 people participated in the survey (response rate 76%, 50.4% female, mean age 42 years). 75% (75.3%, 95% CI, 71.4 to 78.8%) of people reported experiencing food insecurity in the 12 months prior to the survey. Around one fifth of people reported running out of foods (16.8%, 13.9 to 20.2%), having to skip meals (19.3%, 16.2 to 22.9%), limiting variety of foods (19.0%, 15.9 to 22.5%), or feeling stressed due to lack of ability to meet food needs (19.5%, 16.4 to 23.0%). 67% (66.9%, 62.9 to 70.7%) reported becoming more food insecure and changing what they ate due to COVID-19. However, people also reported positive changes such as making a home garden (67.8%, 63.7 to 71.6%), growing fruit and vegetables (59.5%, 55.6 to 63.8%), or trying to eat healthier (14.7%, 12.0 to 18.0%). There were no significant associations between food insecurity and intakes of salt, sugar or fruit and vegetables. Conclusion Participants reported high levels of food insecurity, exceeding recommendations for salt and sugar intake and not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, and becoming more food insecure due to COVID-19. Most participants reported making home gardens and/or growing fruit and vegetables in response to the pandemic. There is an opportunity for these activities to be fostered in addressing food insecurity in Fiji, with likely relevance to the Pacific region and other Small Island Developing States who face similar food insecurity challenges.

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“…Metabolic changes present in chronic noncommunicable diseases have important components such as malnutrition due to excess, physical inactivity, and obesity, increasing the likelihood of developing cardiometabolic diseases. In addition, physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for the development of noncommunicable diseases and increased mortality (Mora et al, 2021;Win-Tin et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity and body composition in a Quilombola community in the Tocantins state (Brazil)

Zica¹,

Maciel²,

Quaresma³

et al. 2023

Retos

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The Quilombola population has precarious living conditions and a risk of obesity. In addition, this population has been little studied in the health area, resulting in a gap in scientific evidence and a lack of policies to promote, protect, and restore health in Tocantins state. Objective: This study aimed to describe the Physical Activity Level (PAL) and body composition of a Quilombola community in the Tocantins state, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study. We study 73 individuals between 10 and 81 years old. The instruments used were: Questionnaire on PAL and sedentary behavior and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance. The statistics analysis was performed using Stata software version 11.0. Results: Sedentary individuals were not found. Among children under 13 years old, 47.8% had a low PAL. The body composition, children and adolescents obtained better results 65.3% and 31.6% respectively. Conclusion: The children’s body fat indexes are within the recommendations (but the PAL is not). PAL of adolescents, adults, and the elderly is not sufficient to cause physiological adaptations in changing body fat levels. Although the Quilombola community maintains some cultural habits, complications of modern life regarding health are concerning, as they seem to be reaching these communities, leading to a lifestyle change, as observed in large cities. Keywords: Exercise; Body Composition; Vulnerable; Public Health.

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Assessing the progress on the implementation of policy and legislation actions to address the Non-Communicable Diseases crisis in the Pacific

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

Prevalence, causes and contexts of childhood overweight and obesity in the Pacific region: a scoping review

Prevalence, causes and contexts of childhood overweight and obesity in the Pacific region: a scoping review

Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults

Physical activity and body composition in a Quilombola community in the Tocantins state (Brazil)

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