Stress and digital dependency are major contributors to the rise of diabetes among young adults in Fiji, according to Kini Marawa, executive director of Diabetes Fiji.
Mr Marawa highlighted that modern lifestyle changes, particularly increased screen time and decreased physical activity, were key drivers of the disease.
“We are seeing the consequences of late-night screen-time culture, lack of physical activity in urban settings, and the displacement of traditional, nutrient-dense Fijian diets with convenience foods,” he said. He said rapid lifestyle transitions, including dietary and behavioural changes, were accelerating the prevalence of diabetes in young people.
“They also have high consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, sedentary behaviours, digital dependency, limited physical activity, and intergenerational risk factors.”
His comments followed the recent STEPS 2025 survey, which revealed that 4.7 per cent of Fiji’s young population is living with diabetes. Many young adults, he noted, were consuming salt and sugar at levels far exceeding international recommendations.
“The early onset is a result of metabolic acceleration caused by high salt and sugar intake, often triple that of the World Health Organisation, starting in early childhood.”
Mr Marawa emphasised that diabetes was no longer primarily an elderly disease, with increasing numbers of young adults now being diagnosed with type two diabetes.
“This trend highlights the urgent need for public health interventions focused on lifestyle modification, nutrition, and early education to prevent the disease from taking an even greater toll on Fiji’s youth.”
l Editorial Comment: P8
