Coco Talanoa — Health & Well Being / Page 8
Pacific Islands becoming the fattest place in the world?
A recent scientific study has shown that the people within the Pacific region are amoung the most obese in the world.
Of the top 10 most obese countries or territories in the globe, nine of them are from the Pacific region - according to the World Health Organisation; thus making it the fattest region in the world.
"Up to 95% of the adult population are overweight or obese in some countries," says Temo Waqanivalu, program officer with the WHO's Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases department.
As a Fijian, Waqanivalu has seen this epidemic continually grow for over a decade, and hasn't been helped by the culutral acceptance of bigger bodies is beautiful.
"In Polynesia the perception of 'big is beautiful' does exist," he says. "[But] big is beautiful, fat is not.…more
Celebrating the life and work of Papa Joe Williams
Dr Joseph Williams MBChB, MPH, QSM,QSO
Te mamae nei te ngakau no tatou metua, Papa Joe Williams, tei takake atu na roto ite moe roa. Na te Atua te aroa kite kopu tangata e kia tatou katoatoa i roto i teia taime tumatetenga
It is with the deepest sadness that the Pasifika Medical Association announces the passing of their respected and much-loved Patron Dr Joseph Williams MBChB, MPH, QSM, QSO.
Dr Williams has served his country, the Cook Islands, his community in New Zealand and his many patients for more than 60 years. He spent 25 years in the Cook Islands and served as Minister of Health and Education in 1974 to 1978, Minister of Health, Tourism, Transport and State-Owned Enterprises from 1994 to 1996 and Prime Minister in 1999.
Dr Williams was born in Aitutaki, went to Northland College, graduated from Otago Medical School in 1960 and later completed a Master in Public Health at the University of Hawaii.…more