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Obesity in Cook Islands

Jul 7, 2024

The Most Obese Country in the World: Cook Islands

Common Misconception

  • Misconception: Many believe the most obese country is the USA.
  • Reality: The USA ranks 14th with 36% morbid obesity rate.

Introducing Cook Islands

  • Location: Remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Population: 177,000 people.
  • Obesity Rate: 55%. More people are morbidly obese than healthy.
  • Overweight Population: 91% are overweight.
  • Main Causes of Death: Diabetes and heart disease.

Experiencing Cook Islands

  • Travel Challenge: Reaches via 46 hours of travel, including 3 flights and 2 layovers.
  • Initial Impressions: Beautiful island; participated in local activities.
  • Observation: High obesity visible among locals, even police officers.

Local Awareness and Perception

  • Mixed awareness among residents about the obesity crisis.
  • Evidence: Two out of every three people observed are substantially overweight.

Analyzing the Causes

  • Diet Examination: Diet similar to Western countries (Burgers, pizzas, etc.).
  • Exercise: Gyms and sports are popular; physical activity is not the issue.

Historical Context

  • Traditional Lifestyle: Islanders were self-sustaining with a healthy diet (raw fish, fruits, vegetables).
  • Shift in Diet: Post-1970 (airport opening), tourism increased, leading to import of processed foods.
  • Westernization: Shift from farming/fishing to accommodating tourists.

Modern Day Diet

  • Imported Food: Dependence on New Zealand and Australia for food.
  • Food Quality: Increase in unhealthy, processed foods.
  • Observation: Prevalence of fast food outlets; traditional food is scarce.
  • Cost Issue: Unhealthy options like Coke are cheaper than water.

Genetics

  • Metabolism: Pacific Islanders have the slowest metabolisms due to historical periods without food.
  • Genetic Adaptation: Bodies store fat efficiently, compounding with poor diet.

Summary

  • The obesity in Cook Islands is a result of a combination of Western food influence and genetically slow metabolisms.