Name: Samoa: The grip of obesity in Paradise
Uploaded: 2026-02-25T09:54:57.320Z
Duration: 5 min 38 s
Description: Eight of the ten countries with the highest obesity rates lie in the South Pacific. Tariu Tevita from Samoa wants to help himself – and others – lose weight.

Eight of the ten countries with the highest obesity rates lie in the South Pacific. Tariu Tevita from Samoa wants to help himself – and others – lose weight.

Apia

Samoa is grappling with a severe obesity crisis, with nine out of ten residents classified as overweight. This trend is largely attributed to the replacement of traditional diets with processed, high-calorie imported foods and sugary drinks. The health consequences are significant, including increased rates of diabetes and kidney failure, which have overwhelmed the country's limited medical infrastructure.

Local families, such as the Tarius, are making lifestyle changes by cutting out unhealthy foods and prioritizing exercise, inspired in part by public figures like Tevita Tariu, a former TV weight-loss show participant. Authorities are leveraging television and community role models to promote healthier habits, but challenges remain due to ingrained cultural attitudes and limited healthcare resources.

Samoa: The grip of obesity in Paradise

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