Health concern in the Pacific region
The Pacific region is facing a health crisis that is directly linked to agriculture, food and nutrition. A joint statement by the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) states that obesity rates within the Pacific Island countries are among the highest in the world. In some islands, more than 60 per cent of the people are obese. This, according to the three organisations, has led to an increase in the rate of late onset type 2 diabetes, heart disease, morbidity and mortality. And there is a number of contributing economic and demographic factors, but dependence on imported, cheap, calorie-dense, and low-nutrition foods is the main culprit and primary cause of this crisis. These issues will be dissected thoroughly at the four-day session in Samoa to identify opportunities for fortifying sustainable food systems in the Pacific and form multi-sectoral linkages and strategic alliances for doing so.