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.