Recent national data has highlighted a troubling trend: diabetes is increasingly affecting younger Fijians, as demonstrated by findings from the Fiji 2025 STEPS Survey. Dr. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, reported that 4.7 percent of individuals aged 18 to 29 are now living with the disease, marking a significant shift in the demographics traditionally associated with diabetes.
Historically viewed as a condition primarily affecting older populations, diabetes now shows a much younger age profile. The overall prevalence of diabetes in Fiji has risen to 16.5 percent in the latest survey, an increase from 14.6 percent recorded in the 2011 STEPS Survey. The average age of those diagnosed with diabetes now stands at 47.6 years, which means that many individuals impacted by the disease are within the productive workforce.
The survey also revealed a significant disparity, with the prevalence among older adults aged 60 to 69 escalating to 36.5 percent. Moreover, the findings indicated that women represent a higher proportion of diabetes cases, accounting for 53.7 percent, influenced by risk factors such as overweight and obesity.
Geographically, the Western Division of Fiji has the highest diabetes prevalence at 18.2 percent, followed closely by the Central Division at 16.9 percent. In response to these findings, Dr. Nand noted that there have been updates to Fiji’s diabetes management guidelines, which now set the threshold for normal fasting blood sugar levels below 5.6 millimoles per liter, while levels of 5.6 to 6.9 indicate pre-diabetes, and 7 or above classifies as diabetes.
A concerning aspect revealed by the survey is the lack of awareness and management of diabetes among the youth. Only about 5 percent of young respondents were aware of their diabetic status, and only 33 percent were receiving medication. Although there has been progress in treatment coverage, Dr. Nand emphasized there remains a considerable gap in compliance and effective management.
The results of the survey highlight an urgent need for early screening, lifestyle modifications, and preventive measures, particularly targeted at younger adults, in order to mitigate the growing diabetes burden in Fiji. The findings serve as a critical call to action for both public health initiatives and community awareness programs, aiming to foster a healthier future for all Fijians.