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Diabetes: Nothing Good to Eat

The Pacific islands of Tonga are the unlikely setting for an acute health crisis. Obesity is the norm, and over 36% of adults suffer from type 2 diabetes.

The tiny, idyllic Pacific islands which make up the Kingdom of Tonga are setting for an unlikely and acute health crisis. With around 90% of Tongans overweight or obese, and with rates of diabetes in adults approaching 40%, Tongans have seen health deteriorate and life expectancy fall. Katy Watson explores the relationship between size and status in deeply religious Tonga, and hears how a decades-old policy of importation has led to the abandonment of the traditional Tongan diet in favour of foods which many blame for soaring rates of type 2 diabetes.

Tonga was almost untouched by diabetes two generations ago but a diabetes specialist at the local hospital tells Katy how she is 鈥渄rowning鈥 from her workload. Katy also speaks to a visionary Church Minister who preaches healthy eating. He says it鈥檚 up to the church to transform the health of the Kingdom, and that people here are now dying from too much, rather than too little.

Katy hears from the Health Minister, who thinks charging for healthcare could be the solution. Katy also speaks to those fighting to restrict imports of the infamous 鈥渕utton flaps鈥 - cheap high fat offcuts of meat that some feel are unfairly dumped on the Pacific Islands without a thought for peoples鈥 health.

Available now

27 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 00:32GMT
  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 03:32GMT
  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 05:32GMT
  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 07:32GMT
  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 18:32GMT
  • Tue 19 Jan 2016 19:32GMT
  • Sat 23 Jan 2016 22:06GMT
  • Sun 24 Jan 2016 11:32GMT

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