Obesity in American Samoa
Obesity in American Samoa[edit | edit source]
Obesity in American Samoa is a significant public health issue. As a U.S. territory, American Samoa has some of the highest rates of obesity in the world. The causes are multifactorial, including genetic predisposition, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors.
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), American Samoa has one of the highest rates of obesity globally, with studies indicating that over 70% of the adult population is considered obese.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Some of the primary causes of obesity in American Samoa include:
- High consumption of imported, processed foods
- A decline in traditional farming and fishing practices
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Cultural factors that view larger body size as a sign of health and wealth
Health Risks[edit | edit source]
Obesity is linked to numerous health risks, including:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Certain types of cancer
Healthcare Facilities and Centers[edit | edit source]
Several healthcare facilities in American Samoa are at the forefront of combating obesity by providing treatment and education:
- Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center, which offers nutrition counseling and weight management programs.
- American Samoa Community Health Center, focusing on community-based preventive care and education.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program in American Samoa, providing nutrition education to pregnant women and young children.
Government and Community Initiatives[edit | edit source]
The American Samoan government, in collaboration with international agencies, has launched various initiatives to tackle obesity:
- Public health campaigns promoting physical activity
- Nutrition education programs in schools
- Policies to increase the import tax on sugary and fatty foods
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Healthcare in American Samoa
- Non-communicable diseases in Pacific Island Countries
- SPC's work on public health in the Pacific islands
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
