Dietary patterns and risk factors of diabetes mellitus among urban indigenous women in Fiji

Abstract

The dietary patterns of indigenous Fijians are changing rapidly. Dietary relationships in regard to the prevalence of diabetes are poorly studied in Fiji. A survey was conducted to show the relationship of dietary patterns and other lifestyle factors for the development of diabetes among urban indigenous women in Fiji. A sample of 200 Fijian women aged 30-39 who agreed to participate were interviewed by the use of semiquantitative food frequency, 3 day-24 h recall study. Physical activity and ceremonial dietary customs were also taken into consideration. Anthropometry included measurements of height, weight, waist and hip. Total percentage bodyfat measurements and glycosuria tests were also conducted. The results showed high rates of obesity manifested in high percentage bodyfat, high body mass index (BMI) and high waist and hip ratio (WHR). The mean 24 h dietary intake exhibited a moderate intake of protein, high intake of fat and a low intake of carbohydrate. The carbohydrate reduction was a result from the decline in consumption of traditional staples. Consumption of cereals and related products favored the high intake of butter and margarine and also encouraged the use of cooking oil in frying varieties of flour products. The daily intake of anti-oxidant vitamins of beta-carotene and vitamin E were low, however there was a high intake of vitamin C. The food frequency study revealed cassava, bread and sugar were consumed daily as the main carbohydrate foods. Fish and meat were the most frequently consumed protein foods. The main beverage was sweet tea with whole-cream milk. Butter, margarine, coconut cream, cheap lamb flaps and cooking oil provided the main sources of fat. Levels of physical activity included high sedentary lifestyles with a high rate of subjects being overweight and obese. Ceremonial dietary customs showed a high consumption of meat and fish. Fruits were rarely consumed. Glycosuria existed among the age group under study. The impact of dietary transition, coupled with dietary excesses and physical inactivity, seem to be potential risk factors of diabetes among the indigenous women in the urban area.

Socioeconomic predictors of dietary patterns among Guatemalan adults

“…Contrary to popular belief, the “traditional” pattern may not be a healthy one. Butter and cooking oils are frequently required for the preparation of cereals and cereal-derived traditional foods (Lako and Nguyen 2001) ( e.g frijoles volteados and tamales ), increasing fat intake. Also, only the right amounts of grains and legumes (e.g.…”

Cardiovascular risk factors among Brazilian Karib indigenous peoples: Upper Xingu, Central Brazil, 2000-3

“…Obesity has become a major global problem 24 – 27. Four or five decades ago obesity and chronic diseases among Brazilian indigenous peoples were rare 3 5.…”

Health Indicators of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in the United States

“…However, health-related studies, mostly conducted in Hawai’i and the South Pacific, highlight a multitude of health disparities for NHPI, providing evidence of a generally poor health status. Available literature reports typically low level s of physical activity [9–16], poor diets (high in fat, low in fruits and vegetables (F&V) [12, 17, 18] high tobacco use (30.9%) [19], high rates of overweight and obesity [12, 13, 15, 18, 20–23], and consistently high rates of chronic diseases such as cancer (breast 150%, ovarian 200%, cervical 500% compared to US 118, 13 and 8%, respectively) [24], diabetes and heart disease [25, 26]. Life expectancies at birth for Hawaiian, Samoan, and Guamanian males (71.5, 71.0 and 72.4 years, respectively) and females (77.2, 74.9 and 76.1 years, respectively) are lower than white men and women in the US [27–29].…”