New insights from the Fiji STEPS Survey 2025 reveal a significant public health issue, with nearly four out of ten individuals in Fiji classified as living with obesity. The survey indicates that 38.9 percent of the population meets the obesity criteria, a concerning statistic for the nation’s health landscape.
Digging deeper into the obesity classifications, the survey shows that 22.4 percent of residents are classified as Class 1 obese, 10.6 percent as Class 2, and 5.9 percent as Class 3. Conversely, it appears that 29.2 percent of the population is considered overweight, while 28.5 percent maintain a normal body mass index (BMI). Just 3.4 percent of the population is categorized as underweight.
Ethnicity plays a crucial role in these statistics. Among Fijians of Indian descent, the obesity rate stands at 24.9 percent, with an additional 32.5 percent being classified as overweight. In contrast, the iTaukei population shows a higher prevalence of obesity; 47.7 percent fall into one of the obesity classes, while only 24.5 percent have a normal BMI.
Age also influences obesity rates significantly. Young adults aged 18 to 29 report lower obesity levels at 26.7 percent. However, this rate escalates dramatically for those aged 30 to 44 years at 45.6 percent, and further increases to 48.2 percent among individuals aged 45 to 59. Notably, there is a slight decline in obesity rates, dropping to 37.6 percent for those aged 60 to 69.
The findings highlight a gender disparity, with women exhibiting higher obesity rates than men. The survey reveals that 48.3 percent of women are classified as obese, contrasted with 30.4 percent of men. Alarmingly, among women aged 30 to 59 years, more than half fall into the obese category.
Conducted according to the World Health Organization’s methodology, the STEPS Survey aims to monitor risk factors for non-communicable diseases and inform national health policies and prevention initiatives. The results underline the urgent need for effective public health strategies to combat the growing obesity epidemic in Fiji, fostering a healthier future for its citizens.
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