Table 2. Summary of anthropometric data extracted from identified relevant articles (n=27) and national reports available (n=4) for Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs).
| Author (year) | Setting | Study design
(study year) |
Population | BMI
reference used |
Results
(Percentages report prevalence) |
Overweight or obesity
determinants explored |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | 1 |
The GBD
2013 Obesity Collaboration (2015) 19 |
Worldwide
(188 countries) |
Pool of 1769
surveys, reports and published studies (1980 to 2012) reporting on prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BMI |
2 to 80 years old | IOTF | Globally, the prevalence of overweight and
obesity combined has risen by 47.1% for children between 1980 and 2013. In Oceania: Overweight: 20.35% Obesity: 5.35% |
_ |
| 2 |
NCD Risk
Factor Collaboration (2017) 5 |
Worldwide
(200 countries and territories) |
Pool of 2416
population-based studies (1975 to 2016) with measurements of height and weight |
128.9 million participants aged 5
years and older, including 31.5 million aged 5–19 years. |
WHO | Prevalence of obesity was more than
30% in girls (5–19 years old) in Nauru, Cook Islands and Palau, and boys in Cook Islands, Nauru, Palau, Niue, American Samoa in 2016. Polynesians and Micronesians had the highest mean BMI in those aged 5–9 and 10–19 years. |
_ | |
| Melanesia | 3 |
Moase
et al.
(1988) 20 |
PNG (Goodenough
Island) |
Cross-sectional
(1982–1983) |
1028 participants (primary school) | WHO | 15% of the student population were above
standard weight/height |
_ |
| 4 |
Dancause
et al. (2011) 21 |
Vanuatu: 3 islands
(Ambae, Efate, Aneityum) |
Cross-sectional
(2007) |
375 children aged 6–12 years | WHO | Overweight or obesity in boys: 4.5%
Overweight or obesity in girls: 6.3%. |
||
| 5 |
Weitz
et al.
(2012) 22 |
8 islands from PNG and
Solomon Islands |
Cross-sectional and
longitudinal (1966–1986) |
2000 participants
From birth to 35 years old |
CDC | BMI cross-sectional comparisons for 3
time periods: 1966–1970 / 1978–1980 / 1985 reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased substantially during the period of this study among young adults, particularly women, and in groups with more Polynesian affinities, where the frequency of overweight tripled over this 20-year interval. However, the BMI of the more Papuan groups on Bougainville remained remarkably stable. |
_ | |
| 6 |
Tubert-
Jeannin et al. (2018) 23 |
New Caledonia | Cross-sectional
(2011–2012) |
3138 children aged 6–12 years old | WHO, IOTF |
At 6 years: Overweight: 10.8%, obesity: 7.8% (WHO) At 9 years: Overweight: 18.1%, obesity: 11.4% (WHO). At 12 years Overweight: 22.2%, obesity: 20.5% (WHO) Overweight: 25.5 %, obesity: 25.5 (IOTF) |
Ethnic group (Polynesian children are
particularly at risk for obesity) |
|
| 7 |
Fiji Ministry
of Health 24 |
Fiji | Fiji National
Nutrition Survey (2014–2015) |
1253 children aged 5–14 years old | WHO | Overweight: 7.2%
Obesity: 1.7% |
||
| Polynesia | 8 |
Fukuyamo
et al. (2005) 25 |
Tonga: 2 islands
(Tongatapu and Niuamiddleutapu) |
Cross-sectional
(2002–2003) |
895 students aged 5–19 years old | IOTF, CDC | The obesity prevalence for 5–11 years
old children living in Tongatapu & Niuatoputapu was, respectively, 7.1% and 7.0% in girls and 2.6% and 2.1% in boys (IOTF). The obesity prevalence for 5–11 years old children living in Tongatapu & Niuatoputapu was, respectively, 10.1% and 10.5% in girls and 5.1% and 6.3% in boys (CDC) |
_ |
| 9 |
Kemmer
et al.
(2008) 26 |
American Samoa | Cross-sectional
(2003) |
208 children aged 5–10 years old | CDC | Mean BMI-for-age Z-score: 1.01 | - | |
| 10 |
Bindon
et al.
(1986) 27 |
Samoa, American
Samoa, Hawaii |
Cross-sectional
(1979–1982) |
786 children aged 5.5–11.5 years old | HANES | The children from Western Samoa
(traditional) were significantly shorter, lighter and lighter for height than their counterparts in in American Samoa (modern) and Hawaii (migrant). |
Modernization, migration | |
| 11 |
Daigre
et al.
(2012) 28 |
4 French Overseas
Territories: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and French Polynesia |
Cross-sectional
(2007–2008) |
101 children from French Polynesia
aged 5 – 14 years old included in the study |
WHO, IOTF,
French references |
Overweight: 22.8%, obesity: 20.3% (WHO)
Overweight: 17.3%, obesity: 15.9% (IOTF). Overweight and obesity: 31.5% (French references) |
_ | |
| 12 |
Ichiho
et al.
(2013) 29 |
American Samoa | Cross-sectional
(2008/2009) |
3478 students from kindergarten to
grade 11 |
CDC | Overweight or obesity: 41.3% (grade 2),
43.9% (grade 3) and 50% (grade 5) |
||
| 13 |
Stewart
et al.
(2014) 30 |
Cook Islands, New
Zealand |
Cross-sectional
(2012) |
267 children aged 1 to 14 years old
from Cook Islands |
WHO | Mean BMI-SDS: 1 | Environmental influences
(urbanization) |
|
| 14 |
Veatupu
et al.
(2019) 31 |
Tonga: 1 island (Ha'apai) | Cross-sectional
(2017) |
35 children aged 10–12 years old | IOTF | Overweight: 14.3%
Obesity: 2.9% |
_ | |
| 15 |
Thompson
et al. (2019) 32 |
Samoa | Cross-sectional
(2017) |
83 children aged 3–7 years old | IOTF, WHO | Overweight: 17% (22.5% for boy; 11.6% for
girls), obesity: 4.85% (5% for boys; 4.7% for girls) (IOTF) Overweight: 21.9% (27.5% for boy; 16.3% for girls), obesity: 11.0% (17.5% for boys; 4.6% for girls) (WHO) |
Sex differences in the association
among nutritional intake and body composition, physical activity was associated with body composition (less %BF), |
|
| 16 |
French
Polynesia Ministry of health 33 |
French Polynesia | Cross-sectional
(2014) |
1768 students aged 7 to 9 years old | IOTF,
French references |
Overweight: 35.5%, obesity: 16% (IOTF)
Overweight and obesity: 34% (French references) |
Skipping breakfast, having snacks
during the morning bought from shops/food trucks, to not be registered in a sports club, sleeping less than 10 hours per night. |
|
| 17 |
Department
of health and Department of Education of American Samoa 34 |
American Samoa | Cross-sectional
(2008–2009) |
3478 students aged 7 to 16 years old | CDC | Overweight or obesity: 55.6% | Inadequate sleep, reliance on
vehicles rather than walking to school, and social norms that are skewed toward accepting obesity may be major contributing factors toward the high prevalence of obesity. |
|
| 18 |
Wallis and
Futuna health Department 35 |
Wallis and Futuna | Cross-sectional
(2020) |
406 students aged 7 to 10 years old | IOTF,
WHO, CDC, French references |
Overweight: 24.4%, obesity: 26.3% (IOTF)
Overweight: 21.4%, obesity: 35.5% (WHO) Overweight: 13.5%, obesity: 43.1% (CDC) Overweight and obesity: 49% (French references) |
||
| Micronesia | 19 |
Bruss
et al.
(2005) 36 |
Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) |
Qualitative
(2002) |
32 participants in focus groups
(mothers, fathers, and grandparents of children 6 to 10 years old) |
Qualitative data on the perception of
childhood obesity within 1 multiethnic community |
Influence of sociocultural, familial,
and nutritional factors on health care behaviors. |
|
| 20 |
Novotny
et al.
(2007) 37 |
Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands |
Cross-sectional
(2005) |
420 children aged 6 months – 10
years |
CDC | Overweight: 19% | Breastfeeding (children breastfed has
lower BMI) |
|
| 21 |
Durand
(2007) 38 |
FSM (Yap) | Cross-sectional
(2006) |
1736 children aged 2 to 15 years old | WHO | 5 to 10 years
Overweight: 15% (12% for boys and 19% for girls) Obesity: 19% (both for boys and girls), |
||
| 22 |
Paulino
et al.
(2008) 39 |
Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (Rota, Saipan and Tinian) |
Cross-sectional
(2005) |
393 children aged 6 months to 10
years old |
CDC | Overweight or obesity: 26% (4–6 years)
and 45% (7–10 years) |
||
| 23 |
Ichicho
et al.
(2013) 40 |
Federated States of
Micronesia (State of Yap) |
Cross-sectional
(2008–2009) |
Wa'ab community health center
household survey (2006–2007): 1736 children Outer island household survey (2008–2009): 2042 children aged 2–14 years Maternal & child health, school health survey (2006–2007): 1245 students from 14 elementary schools Maternal & child health, school health survey in (2009–2010): 1415 students from elementary schools and early childhood education centers |
IOTF | Overweight or obesity: 20.5% to 33.8% | ||
| 24 |
Paulino
et al.
(2015) 41 |
Guam | Cross-sectional
(2010–2014) |
106 827 students aged 4–19 years old | CDC | Overweight: 16.0% (2010–2011) and 16.5%
(2013–2014) Obesity: 23.6% (2010–2011) and 22.6% (2013–2014). |
||
| 25 |
Paulino
et al.
(2017) 42 |
FSM, RMI, Palau | Cross-sectional
(2013–2015) |
1200 children aged 2–8 years old | CDC | Overweight or obesity: 12.9% | ||
| 26 |
Matanane
et al. (2017) 43 |
Guam | Cross-sectional
(2012–2013) |
466 children aged 2 – 8 years old | CDC | Overweight: 16%
Obesity: 13% |
Lower BMI z-scores in participants
having a small market close to their residences. |
|
| 27 |
Passmore
et al. (2019) 44 |
Republic of Marshall
Islands (Majuro islands) |
Cross-sectional
(2017–2018) |
3,271 children aged 4–16 years old | CDC | Overweight: 8.2%
Obesity: 5.1% (4–6 years: 3.3%; 7–9 years: 4.4%, 10–12 years: 7.1%), |
Obesity prevalence was higher
in boys and in children attending private schools. |
|
| 28 |
Lean
Guerrero et al. (2020) 45 |
Guam | Cross-sectional
(2013) |
865 children aged
2–8 years old |
CDC | Overweight: 13.39%
Obesity: 13.15% |
Children with overweight or obesity
were more likely to have educated caregivers and consume more sugar sweetened beverages |
|
| Multi PICTs | 29 |
Novotny
et al.
(2015) 46 |
USAPI: Hawaii, Alaska,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), 4 Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Yap, Kosrae, Chuuk) |
Systematic review | CDC | At 8 years
Obesity: 23% Overweight and obesity: 39%. |
||
| 30 |
Novotny
et al.
(2016) 47 |
USAPI: Hawaii, Alaska,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), 4 Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Yap, Kosrae, Chuuk) |
Cross sectional
(2013) |
5463 children aged 2–8 years old | CDC | Overweight: 14.4%.
Obesity: 14.0% (16.3% for 6–8 years old) |
race/ethnicity, age | |
| 31 |
Novotny
et al.
(2017) 48 |
USAPI: Hawaii, Alaska,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), 4 Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Yap, Kosrae, Chuuk) |
Cross-sectional
(2012) |
5462 children aged 2 – 8 years old | CDC | Obesity: 14% | sex, race, and jurisdiction income
level are associated with obesity |
Note : GBD = The collaborative groups of the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), NCD = Non-communicable diseases, BMI = Body Mass Index, PNG = Papua New Guinea, WHO = World Health Organization, CDC = Centers for Disease Control And Prevention, IOTF = International Obesity Task Force, HANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, FSM = Federated States of Micronesia, RMI = Republic of Marshall Islands.