Obesity in Papua New Guinea

Obesity is a towering global issue on the health annual costs across the nations today. What is obesity? Medically obesity is a health condition specifies by excessive accumulation of body fats in the adipose tissue of the human body. Due to the continuous build-up which result in weight gain and causing disability at the physiological level. This essay will discuss the five aspects of obesity, which are; unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, medical conditions, lifestyle habits and genes. Different points of views are taken into consideration that outlines a balanced discussion about obesity but elaborate specifically in Papua New Guinea Papua (PNG) context. According to the (WHO, 2003). Firstly, unhealthy diets, the globe is facing an alarming proportions of obesity epidemic. There are more deaths in obesity-related diseases than undernutrition. According to (Ogle, 2001), emphasize on the medical literature of Papua New Guinea (PNG) which studies infectious disease and nutrition, resulted in larger burden of closely related disease. It bound with vast health complications, disability and even death. Type 2 diabetes rising enormously in the country with an indication of increasing prevalence that adds up, since 1963. In the near future it becomes obvious that diabetes will becoming a major medical burden of the nation (PNG).

In addition, according to (Ogle, 2001), in the National Capital City of Papua New Guinea it was reported that the rural dwellers had high rates of glucose level – about 8. 9% who have diabetes from the people of Wanigela – strongly believing a genetic link for both Koki Wanigelans and its rural village in the Wanigela community. Having seen, these rates were much lower than in their families and relatives in urban places. Studies have proven that the Waigela people of central province are immensely characterized with the leading rate of obesity in the nations. Also, physical inactivity, according to (Pus, Moriyama, Uno, & Rahman, 2016), it talks about the study procedures that are carried out in PNG to identify obesity in the nation. The study was done in Port Moresby. It elaborates more on the study techniques and skills that the researcher used during the analysis of the statistics.

According to the third source (Pus et al. , 2016), imply that the contributing factors of obesity are; lack of physical activity, cultural value system etc. Most individuals in the community are not educated because government plans and strategies are really weak to educate and improve people lifestyle and prevent obesity and its complications. Study suggested to develop a strong relation with the stakeholder. This will make sure that best education and increase awareness program and strong engagement to the standard health policies and strategies are recommended at every level. Furthermore, extent of obesity among adults according to (Big & Ignore, 2000) state that the leading obesity rate in adults is found in the Pacific islands which includes Papua New Guinea. In the adults who have been obese is ranging from about two percent in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to almost eighty percent in Nauru. The rate of obesity is really great in most of the communities to about twenty percent which is beyond when compare to other developed countries such as Australia. The rate is still greater compare to even much bigger countries such the United States of America. Generally, the probability of obesity is worsening among people in urban than compare to those in rural regions and even women are more prevalent than men. Normally obesity occur much higher in older adults. However, thirty-five years of age is the maximum rate of obesity in some Pacific countries. This final trend shows a clear indication of the serious consequences for future health. Women who are obese at the age of eighteen and still adding on the weight late in their adulthood are seventy times more likely to develop disease such as type 2 diabetes than compare to those who remain lean. Moreover, medical conditions, according to (Big & Ignore, 2000), extent of obesity in children across the globe it is complicated to determine obesity simply because the size and the composition of the body changes as they age and grow.

Not much information about the status of children weight especially in the Pacific. Two to twenty-three percent of children age under five milds to moderate undernutrition that was examined through the growth of children. Big body mass as a result of muscularity and big body mass due to excessive fats can be distinguish clearly. Due to the adaptation of modern, lack of physical activities lifestyle and different diet patterns of vast pacific islanders are big and fat than slim and muscular. Previously over weight or large body mass may have set some barriers against some common diseases and time of starvation. Today some of the common diseases like the diabetes is caused through the excessive fats being accumulated. On the other hand, lifestyle habits, according to (Big & Ignore, 2000), the amount of energy consumed daily is more than the amount needed which leads to obesity. There rapid increase of food containing high-fat, energy-dense as a result of recent social and economic change in the Pacific Islands. Travel has increased which in turn decrease the level of physical activity as the number of people employed in manual farming and fishing has fallen.

According to (WHO, 2003) outline the severe changes through the way people behaved in their respective communities and society depict the increasing epidemic. Genes also plays a very important role in determining weight gain by individual. Aspect such as economic growth, modernization, urbanization, and globalization of food staff in the marketing sectors are some of the force factor of obesity. Rise in income and populations become more urban, people consumed more different diets with a higher proportion of fats, saturated fats and sugars. At the same time, reduced or even lack in physical exercises. Summing up the factors of obesity which are classified into five categories were categorized which are; behavioural, environmental, biological, cultural value system and some people link both obesity and data.

However, genes also play a very important role in contributing towards obesity. It involved in fat distribution in the body, storage etc. according to (WHO, 2003) it explain why in PNG society some people may see obesity as the healthy way of life in terms of cultural value by stating their own reasons to go for it. Due to such cultural value system which placed a demand in the food consumption. Having that mentality in mind people choose to eat as plenty of food as they could such as fats and other food staffs especially for growing body so that in turn they can grow as big and fat as they could and can be respected in their respective society and community as the leader or person with great value. These are the food that they choose to consumed such as foods containing higher content concentration of sugar and fats some of the severe consequences of obesity related risk are; diet-related chronic diseases, like the type 2 diabetes. In contrast, according to (Pus et al. , 2016) it clarify the concept about PNG society is that a person with excessive fats (obese) is respected as the leader and even seen as beautiful and attractive whereas the skinny ones are treated as less respected, discriminated, powerless and isolated. In the event of community gatherings and discussion the skinny ones missed out because they were termed as the victim of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and so ford. According to (Morais Macieira, Saraiva, & Santos, 2017) as spelt it out clearly that most felt a sleep after eating too much.

There is a limited choice of daily food items, therefore, many people eat mostly lamb, beef, chicken and chips. And even lack in knowledge people finds it hard to easily comprehended the nutritional label on the package of the food. Most people are still confused about the required calorie intake and mal-effects of a huge quantity of greasy food and soft drinks. These all comes down to the root factor which is the lack of government attention in providing basic health services program such as awareness, etc. that results in unhealthy population. On the contrary, According to (National Department of Health Papua New Guinea, 2012) it states that some of PNG citizen in favour of obesity, at the same time, they also regard obesity as the health problem but the fact is studies has reviled and proven that obesity is unhealthy simply because of the so many critical health related problems. Even when looking at different direction it does have some other effects such as the life expectancy of people is reduced; unexpected death in age 50s” is suggested and believed that untreated cardiovascular disease could be unknown. There are several studies that revealed the link between overweight and infected with chronic disease. Ultimately, highest rate of chronic diseases in PNG could be expected on the reasons of obesity and overweight according to (Maria & Evagelia, 2009). According to (Bmi, States, Bmi, States, & Edition, 1994), When there is imbalance between physical activity and caloric intake which results in obesity.

In children the same principle still applies. In response to the level of food intake which causes the body to regulate blood sugar together with insulin. Which result in diabetes (Type 2). Previously Type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed mostly in adult populations only, but today it is being diagnosed in children and other age group too, even though with less prevalence (0. 25%). However, the health approach to prediabetes (high blood glucose levels which does not cross ponds to diagnostic expectations for diabetes). Nevertheless, according to (Big & Ignore, 2000), it is vital to know the know the root cause of ill health in the Pacific before addressing the issue of obesity, the health care is facing a major problem which in turn affect the country economy. Societies and communities cannot despite the fact to ignore the worsening obesity epidemic. Overweight and obesity must be tackle through prevention management strategies effectively. Creating a conducive environment — Life style changes programmes must be conducted frequently to address the issues such as social, environmental and economical appropriately; Healthy behaviour must be promoted. What can be done to promoting healthy behaviours? Modernisation in the communities and societies of Papua New Guinea have been the major down fall due to less of physical activities which leads to the rising epidemic that recently introduced unhealthy eating patterns. Personal awareness must be done to address these behavioural determinants of obesity. Appropriate change can be archived through the motivation of people beliefs, attitudes, and skills.

At the same time, it outlines factors that contributed towards obesity, the possible causes and their effects in terms of disease. According to (Pus et al. , 2016) conclude that Papua New Guinea PNG health systems are very weak and no standard strategies were implemented when compare to other countries around the world. One of the root cause of obesity in Papua New Guinea (PNG) according to studies is due to the cultural value system. Having all these sources of information it gives details and comprehensive information about the possible causes and outcomes of the title which is ‘’obesity in Papua New Guinea (PNG)’’. To sum up with respect to the above analysis as discussed, it implies that obesity is really an epidemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Environmental factors and genetic factors are badly implicated and resulting in an increasing number of death, according to (Ogle, 2001).

These complications present a major problem and challenges to the health system of Papua New Guinea (PNG) therefore there is an urgent need to apply effective preventive strategies. Effective approach such as clinical programmes and staff training must be undertaken to address the issue properly. And also all the government sectors must actively participate in one way or the other to addressing this issue according to (Big & Ignore, 2000). It is very essential for every individual to live a healthy lifestyle with a constant body weight by consuming healthy meals, involving in physical activities and making societal changes and building a healthy nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG).