Findings from the Fiji STEPS Survey 2025 show that free sugar intake remains high in Fiji, particularly among young adults, heightening concerns about long-term risks of obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
Free sugars—added to foods and drinks during manufacturing, cooking or by consumers—were assessed through two indicators: sugar-sweetened beverage intake and teaspoons of sugar added to drinks.
On average, Fijians consumed 1.1 sugar-sweetened beverages per person per day.
Men drank more than women (1.2 vs 0.9 drinks/day).
Consumption declined steadily with age.
Those aged 18–29 consumed the most at 1.4 drinks/day, followed by 30–44 (1.1), 45–59 (0.8), and 60–69 (0.5 drinks/day).
Added sugar was also high. An average of 4.9 teaspoons of sugar were added to beverages per person per day, including tea, coffee and chocolate drinks.
Young adults again led intake: 5.3 tsp/day (18–29), decreasing to 5.0 (30–44), 4.6 (45–59) and 3.7 tsp/day (60–69). Men added more sugar per drink (2.2 tsp) than women (1.9 tsp).
More than half the population (52.9%) reported being advised by a health professional in the past year to reduce sugary drinks.
However, advice was less common among younger adults—only 38.2% of those aged 18–29 received guidance—compared with 63.3% of those aged 60–69.
