Obesity in the Pacific

[9] Tongan Royal Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, who died in 2006, holds the Guinness World Record for being the heaviest-ever monarch— with a weight of 200 kilograms (440 lb).

[10] Research done on globalization's impact on health indicates that the rise in average BMI in Fiji correlates with the increase in imports of processed food.

[13] A survey done in the Marshall Islands revealed that the percentage of the total population considered overweight or obese was 62.5%.

The earliest photographs of Samoans provide visual proof of the native population's natural physique before the introduction of processed foods by Western society.

The development of modern society, although advanced with technologies, has also made it easy for many to live an unhealthy lifestyle, therefore leading to obesity.

[16] Obesity in the Pacific Islands is also thought to be influenced by social and cultural factors (tambu foods), including past poor public education on diet, exercise and health.

[22] Much of the local diet as of at least 2008 consists of processed, salty and calorie-dense imported food such as spam or corned beef, rather than traditional fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.

[23][24][25][circular reference] Some foods high in saturated fat such as mutton flaps and turkey tails are sold in the Pacific islands due to relatively low wealth.

[22] The World Health Organization implemented various fiscal policies to fight the rise of childhood obesity.