Week 9 Post 2

When people think of the most unhealthy country, a well-educated individual would most likely say "the United States of America". Although not far from the general truth, the state of America is actually not the nation with the highest obesity. It is, in fact, the various countries of the pacific islands. 94.5% of the island of Nauru's population are identified as overweight or obese and the surrounding islands are not far off. There are a few options which could be utilized to help control the problem however, the industrialized world powers are the primary reason for the unhealthiness of these nations. Of these industrialized countries (Australia, China, etc.), all either have a growing chronic illness problem of their own or the financial incentive to continue supplying the islands with unhealthy foods. When Nauru was colonized, any chance of sustaining their once healthy lifestyle was destroyed. 90% of the land area in Nauru is covered with phosphate deposits which have been strip-mined and are now non-arable. This has led to a reliance on processed, imported foods. Due to the social changes introduced when islands were under colonial rule, 40% of people have a noncommunicable disease (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension). Because the natives have gone so many generations with only foods high in oils, fats, and sugars, promotion of healthy foods has been entirely unsuccessful. Dr. Temo Waganivalu says that professionals are "unable to compete with the glamour and flashiness of imported foods". Ironically, in America, healthier diets are an indication of more money or glamour. The island people do not wish to continue living in this way. They want to be healthier and better. However, the major challenge remains enforcing nutrition education in schools. Despite providing the knowledge to students, the islands is unable to translate this knowledge to behavior. The schools teach the curriculum but can only sell junk food in the cafeteria because they have to profit. The system works similarly in the United States in which students have a general idea of what it means to be healthy, but lack the resources to act upon this knowledge. In America, some programs have been progressed to make a place for healthy foods in the lunch line. Furthermore, America has greater access to locally grown foods. Although we should be using this resource more, Nauru and other islands suffer it's complete lack. Climate change is another major barrier to their agriculture industry.

The problem in Nauru is dire. Only 16% of the population is over 55 due to rampant premature deaths. The average life expectancy is only 62. Most of these deaths are caused by noncommunicable diseases. Although it seems that America is far from this awful situation, we do not have much longer until the majority of our population dies this young. In every country where chronic illness is a serious issue, the government has determined that attacking the problem in elementary school is the key to ending the epidemic. The primary difference stands that America has the ability to provide their students with fresh produce and chooses not to; whereas Nauru has no ability to provide their students with fresh produce due to the influence of foreign powers (like America), despite desire to. In this way, the chronic illness epidemic seems almost contagious. Not only are these unhealthy economic powerhouses providing and profiting off the Pacific Islanders poor health, but they are making it impossible for them to ever recover.In Nauru, children could also benefit from Go, Slow, and Whoa posters and excellent health and wellness classes however. Although they will not be able to control the foods that they have access to, when a child knows which options will fuel them better than another, they may take it. The problem is that this epidemic is a continuation of the Australian, American, and British economic system.