Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
Obes Rev. 2013 Nov;14 Suppl 2:150-8. doi: 10.1111/obr.12090.
The Pacific Island countries experience some of the highest rates of obesity in the world in part due to substantial dietary changes that mirror changes in the food supply in the region. Economic and political ties, donor aid, and trade links are key drivers of the changing availability and accessibility of processed and imported foods. Pacific Island countries have been innovative in developing trade-related policy approaches to create a less obesogenic food environment. Taxation-based approaches that affect pricing in the region include increased import and excise tariffs on sugared beverages and other high-sugar products, monosodium glutamate, and palm oil and lowered tariffs on fruits and vegetables. Other approaches highlight some higher-fat products through labeling and controlling the supply of high-fat meats. The bans on high-fat turkey tails and mutton flaps highlight the politics, trade agreements and donor influences that can be significant barriers to the pursuit of policy options. Countries that are not signatories to trade agreements may have more policy space for innovative action. However, potential effectiveness and practicality require consideration. The health sector's active engagement in the negotiation of trade agreements is a key way to support healthier trade in the region.
太平洋岛国的肥胖率位居世界前列，部分原因是饮食结构发生了重大变化，与该地区的食品供应变化相吻合。经济和政治关系、捐助援助和贸易联系是推动加工食品和进口食品供应和可及性变化的关键因素。太平洋岛国在制定与贸易相关的政策方法方面具有创新性，旨在创造一个不易导致肥胖的食品环境。对该地区价格产生影响的基于税收的方法包括提高含糖饮料和其他高糖产品、谷氨酸钠以及棕榈油的进口和消费税，并降低水果和蔬菜的关税。其他方法通过标签和控制高脂肪肉类的供应来突出一些高脂肪产品。禁止高脂肪火鸡尾巴和羊肉瓣突出了政治、贸易协议和捐助者的影响，这些因素可能是实施政策选择的重大障碍。未签署贸易协议的国家可能有更多的政策空间来采取创新性行动。然而，需要考虑潜在的有效性和实用性。卫生部门积极参与贸易协议的谈判，是支持该地区更健康贸易的关键途径。
