Dr. Serupepeli Goneyali, the medical superintendent at Lautoka Hospital, recently underscored the critical role of healthy eating habits during a nutrition and health workshop in Lautoka. At the conclusion of the two-day event, he expressed concern over the rising prevalence of poor dietary choices in Fijian society, echoing worries that health officials have raised in recent years.
Dr. Goneyali pointed out that unhealthy eating habits are significantly impacting Fiji’s healthcare system, contributing to increased congestion in outpatient departments and health clinics. He emphasized the importance of nutrition, arguing that education on how to obtain nutritious food at affordable prices is vital for community wellbeing. “Our goal should be to educate people at the grassroots level about how to access good food value affordably,” he stated.
The issue of children’s nutrition was particularly highlighted, with Dr. Goneyali warning about the risks associated with low birth weight infants potentially becoming anemic toddlers, a situation that can lead to further health complications in later life. He advocated for moving away from traditional but less nutritious feeding practices, such as relying on tea and biscuits or rice and cassava as main meals.
Encouraging the cultivation of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and root crops, Dr. Goneyali noted the abundance of arable land in Fiji and the necessity of a balanced diet for maintaining health and enhancing overall wellbeing. His views resonate with those expressed by Fiji’s Health Minister, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, who has been vocal about the urgent need to improve dietary habits among the population. Recent data reveals that roughly 75% of Fijians fail to meet the World Health Organization’s recommended nutritional guidelines, contributing to increasing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the nation.
Further aligning with this message, pediatrician Dr. Rigamoto Taito has highlighted the long-lasting effects of nutrition on childhood obesity rates linked to unhealthy eating patterns. The collaboration among health authorities signals a growing awareness of the pressing health crisis and a collective push for change in dietary practices.
With an emphasis on promoting local agriculture and nurturing healthier eating habits, there is a hopeful outlook that, through concerted efforts, Fiji can achieve positive health outcomes for future generations. As more community initiatives in nutrition education gain traction, the potential for a healthier Fiji increases significantly.