Now that’s the way to go! Kini Marawa, the executive director of Diabetes Fiji, has drawn a link between stress, digital dependency and the rise in diabetes among young adults in Fiji.
That’s calling it as it is.
Modern lifestyle changes, he says, particularly the growth in screen time and the decline in physical activity, are emerging as major contributors to the disease. The consequences of late-night digital habits, reduced movement in urban environments, and the shift away from traditional, nutrient-rich Fijian diets toward convenience foods are becoming increasingly evident.
Rapid lifestyle transitions, from what we eat to how we behave, are accelerating the prevalence of diabetes in young people.
Today’s youth are not only exposed to ultra-processed foods and sugar-laden drinks but are also becoming more sedentary, increasingly reliant on digital platforms, and influenced by inherited health risks passed down through generations.
In saying that, we are reminded about recent remarks by information technology professional Mohammed Nafeez, who shared his reflections on the growing presence of mobile phones in our daily routines.
Mobile devices, he observed, are now embedded in school life, social interaction and even learning. They are part and parcel of the modern experience.
The issue, he argued, is not necessarily the phone itself. The real concern lies in the duration of use, the frequency of engagement, and the nature of the content young people are exposed to while online.
Now that’s a different take on the impact of mobile phones and the internet. And the key here is time and dependency.
Mr Marawa’s earlier comments come in the wake of the recent STEPS 2025 Survey, which revealed that 4.7 per cent of Fiji’s young population is already living with diabetes.
Many young adults, he noted, are consuming salt and sugar at levels that significantly exceed global recommendations.
We learn that the early onset of the disease can be linked to metabolic changes brought about by high salt and sugar intake, often several times above the standards set by the World Health Organization, beginning in early childhood.
Diabetes, he stressed, is no longer seen as a condition affecting only the elderly, with a growing number of young adults now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
This trend highlights the need for public health interventions centred on lifestyle change, better nutrition, and early education to prevent the disease from taking an even greater toll on our youth.
At the end of all this sits stress, digital dependency, increased screen time and decreased physical activity. Our challenge will be on how we connect the dots, so to speak, and allow digital advancement to improve our wellbeing.
Technology is meant to enhance our lives. Responsible use, balanced routines and conscious lifestyle choices must now become part of the national conversation if we are to reverse this worrying trend.
