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Massive obesity in a migrant Samoan population
American Journal of Public Health
|May 1, 1981
Summary
Pacific Islanders, particularly Samoans, face significant weight gain and health issues like obesity and hypertension upon migration. This study highlights the urgent public health needs of these communities in urban settings.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pacific Islander populations exhibit a tendency towards overweight and obesity, especially after migration or exposure to modernization.
- Samoans show a particular susceptibility, with high rates of obesity and hypertension observed post-migration to Hawaii.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated health conditions (hypertension, elevated fasting plasma glucose) in an urbanized Samoan community.
- To provide preliminary data on the health status of Samoan migrants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among an urbanized Samoan community.
- Data collected included height, weight, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
- Participant anthropometrics and health markers were compared to US population percentiles.
Main Results:
- While average height was within the US population range (25th-50th percentile), approximately half the Samoan sample exceeded the 95th percentile for weight.
- Extreme overweight was associated with elevated blood pressure in the community.
- Elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was observed in females within the sample.
Conclusions:
- Urbanized Samoan migrants exhibit a high prevalence of extreme overweight, posing significant public health challenges.
- The findings underscore the need for targeted health interventions for Pacific Islander migrant communities.
- Massive adult weight gain in these populations has serious implications for healthcare systems supporting migrant communities.