Date on Senior Honors Thesis
5-2016
Document Type
Senior Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.A.
Department
Anthropology
Degree Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Author's Keywords
Pacific Islands; non-communicable disease; Western Diet
Abstract
In an already challenging environment, the Western diet has introduced noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease to the Pacific Islands (PIC). Without modern medicine, many of these regions, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia are ill equipped to handle the long-term effects of these noncommunicable diseases. A high percentage of the Pacific Island population is obese and overweight; and the Islands are struggling to combat the epidemic. Many programs and proposals have been implemented, such as changes in trade policy, local activism, and government modifications, but there has been no evidence of a decline in noncommunicable diseases. There is still a significant amount to be done. I argue that culturally relevant approaches in the Pacific Islands, modeled after a Native American program, could prove to be an effective solution to positive dietary changes
Recommended Citation
Ruikka, Jessica, "The Western diet's negative impact on the health of the Pacific Islands." (2016). College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses. Paper 99.
http://doi.org/10.18297/honors/99
