Fiji is facing a growing non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis fuelled by poor diets, lack of sleep and increasing consumption of sugary and processed food, with younger people increasingly adopting unhealthy lifestyle habits.
This was highlighted by Counterstroke Fiji President Elizabeth Reade Fong during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.
Fong also raised concerns about changing lifestyle habits, saying many people are getting less sleep and increasingly engaging in behaviour that can contribute to serious health problems when taken to excess.
She says many stroke patients also suffer from underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, with these diseases often occurring together and significantly increasing health risks.
She says kava consumption has become common among both men and women, and while kava has benefits, excessive consumption can contribute to unhealthy lifestyles adding that younger people are increasingly adopting these habits.
Insert:Elizabeth on snacks with kava 7th June
She says many people now spend long hours drinking kava regularly rather than limiting it to occasional social gatherings.
Fong says because kava is relatively affordable, people are able to consume it more frequently, contributing to lifestyle patterns linked to hypertension, diabetes and stroke.
Fong says previous generations spent much of their lives eating home-cooked meals and had limited access to restaurants and fast-food outlets.
However, she says many people today rely heavily on fast food and processed food, which have become a normal part of daily life and are contributing to poor health outcomes.
She says the growing number of NCD cases is clear evidence that urgent action is needed to reduce the impact these diseases are having on families and communities.
Fong says programmes and media platforms that promote prevention and healthier lifestyles play an important role in ensuring health messages reach more people.
She is urging Fijians to take the evidence seriously and make healthier lifestyle choices to help prevent NCDs and protect the wellbeing of their families and loved ones.
