Obesity in Tonga: A Crisis Misdiagnosed by the Government
By Eleni ‘Aholeli | Health & Nutrition Journalist
Tonga has one of the highest obesity rates globally. According to the World Obesity Federation’s Global Obesity Observatory, 63.37% of adults in Tonga were classified as obese as of 2022. This high prevalence of obesity contributes to significant health challenges, including elevated rates of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The devastating rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, has placed an immense burden on public health. The government, in an attempt to curb this crisis, banned the importation of mutton flaps, citing their high-fat content as a contributing factor to obesity.
However, the real culprits of this epidemic have been overlooked—sugar, refined flour, and processed carbohydrates. These dietary staples, consumed daily in every Tongan household, are the primary drivers of obesity and insulin resistance, and yet, they remain unchecked by the Ministry of Health.
The Misplaced Ban on Mutton Flaps
Mutton flaps, widely consumed in Tonga, are indeed high in fat, but they are still a natural, unprocessed source of protein. While excessive consumption of fatty meats is not ideal, banning them entirely ignores the larger issue: a diet dominated by nutrient-poor, high-glycemic foods. Instead of addressing the influx of heavily processed, refined carbohydrates, the government has removed an affordable protein source from the diet of many Tongans, leaving them with even fewer dietary options in an already import-reliant nation.
The Real Culprits: Sugar and Refined Flour
Tongan diets have shifted dramatically over the last few decades, replacing nutrient-dense traditional foods like taro, yams, bananas and fresh fish with imported processed goods. White bread, noodles, flour, sugary drinks, and baked goods have become staples, driving a silent metabolic disaster across the nation.
- Sugar: The Hidden Poison
- Excessive sugar consumption is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (Malik et al., 2010, “Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults,” The Lancet).
- Tonga, like many Pacific nations, has one of the highest per capita consumption rates of sugar-sweetened beverages, which contribute to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction (WHO, 2018, “non-communicable diseases in the Pacific”).
- Sugar’s ability to rapidly spike blood sugar and insulin levels leads to chronic inflammation and increased fat storage (Lustig, 2012, “Fructose: metabolic, hedonic, and societal parallels with ethanol,” Nature Reviews Endocrinology).
- Refined Flour: The Unseen Enemy
- White flour, commonly found in bread, noodles, biscuits, and other processed foods, lacks fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Harvard School of Public Health, 2021, “Refined Carbohydrates and Health”).
- Unlike whole foods, refined flour converts quickly into glucose, causing blood sugar spikes similar to sugar (Mozaffarian et al., 2011, “Changes in diet and lifestyle and long-term weight gain in women and men,” The New England Journal of Medicine).
- High intake of refined carbohydrates is directly linked to fat accumulation, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart disease (Hu, 2011, “Dietary carbohydrate intake and risk of type 2 diabetes,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).
A Policy Blind Spot: The Need for Real Reform
While the government’s intention to tackle obesity is commendable, its strategy is misguided and ineffective. Instead of banning one type of meat, Tonga should be addressing the true causes of metabolic disease:
Introduce Sugar Taxes: Several Pacific nations, including Fiji and Samoa, have imposed higher taxes on sugary drinks, reducing consumption rates. Tonga must follow suit.
Encourage Local, Traditional Foods: Promoting the consumption of Tongan-grown produce such as taro, kumala (sweet potato), breadfruit, and fresh seafood would provide healthier, natural alternatives.
Regulate Processed Imports: While banning mutton flaps, the government has allowed the unchecked importation of ultra-processed foods packed with refined carbs and sugars. A health-focused import policy is needed.
Improve Public Education: Many Tongans are unaware of the dangers of excessive sugar and refined flour. Nationwide campaigns on healthy eating, similar to anti-smoking initiatives, could be game-changing.
Conclusion: Time for a Smarter Approach
If Tonga is to combat obesity and reduce the burden of diabetes, the government must focus on science-backed solutions rather than symbolic bans. By addressing sugar and refined flour consumption, promoting traditional whole foods, and educating communities, Tonga can take meaningful steps toward reversing the obesity epidemic. Until then, the war on obesity remains misdiagnosed, misdirected, and dangerously ineffective.
This article is part of a series in which we will explore the causes and effects of obesity and diabetes. We will also debunk common myths about weight loss and discuss the foods we should avoid achieving a healthier lifestyle, free from illness and life-threatening diseases.
