Fiji Malnutrition: Lessons from a Pacific Nutrition Pioneer

A story published in The Fiji Times on December 7, 1963, brought to light the pressing issue of malnutrition in Fiji. Nutrition expert Margaret Parkinson, who had recently retired from the Fiji Medical Department after a long career in nutrition and dietetics, emphasized the role that the breakdown of social systems in the mid-1900s played in the rise of malnutrition in the country.

Parkinson, who trained as a dietitian in New Zealand, moved to England in 1946 to work with the Ministry for Foods during the final phase of the British government’s rationing program. Her experiences in research and surveys concerning health and feeding levels during this period further shaped her perspectives on nutrition.

Realizing the importance of higher education for women in the field of nutrition, she pursued a scholarship to study in the United States, where she obtained her master’s degree in nutritional science at Cornell University, focusing on the nutritional challenges confronted by developing countries.

In 1950, Parkinson returned to Fiji as a nutritionist for the South Pacific Health Service, established by the British and New Zealand governments in 1948 to support their Pacific Island territories. Her work included conducting nutrition surveys throughout Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, the Cook Islands, and Fiji.

At the time, many Fijians primarily consumed indigenous foods, leading to generally good health among those who maintained well-balanced diets. Parkinson noted that women often breast-fed their babies for extended periods, which contributed to the health of the population. However, she identified protein under-nutrition among children who lacked sufficient supplementary foods during breast-feeding as a critical concern.

Parkinson’s insights into nutrition highlight both the challenges and the resilience of Pacific communities. Her work laid foundations that would inform nutritional policies and efforts to combat malnutrition in Fiji and the broader region, fostering hope for improved health outcomes in the years to come.