title: Noncommunicable diseases and risk factors in adult populations of several Pacific Islands: results from the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors in several Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs), in accordance with global NCD targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  For six risk factors, data for adults (aged 25-64 years) from published reports of the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to NCD surveillance, or methodologically similar surveys, were collated, age standardised and compared across fifteen PICTs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the majority of PICT populations, more than half of male current drinkers drank heavily and more than 40% of men and 20% of women were current smokers. In 10 populations, about 50% or more of women were insufficiently physically active. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes exceeded 20% and 25%, respectively, in several populations. Near or more than half of men and women in all populations were overweight; in most, more than one-third of both sexes were obese.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of NCDs and risk factors varies widely between PICTs and by sex. The evidence shows the high and alarming present and future burden of NCDs in the region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strengthened political commitment and increased investment are urgently required to tackle the NCD crisis, successfully achieve targets and ensure continuing sustainable development in the Pacific islands.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kessaram
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Jeanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Girin
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vivili
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: Pacific Islands; adults; epidemiology; noncommunicable diseases; prevalence