• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2013-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-64
Sample size:918
Area covered:National
References:STEPS Survey Cook Islands 2013-15, available at https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/611 (last accessed 16.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2003-2004

Survey type:Measured
Age:25-64
Sample size:2036
Area covered:National
References:Cook Islands STEP Survey 2004, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/cook_islands/en/ (last accessed 05.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Men, 1998

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:132
Area covered:Subnational
References:Lifestyle Diseases in Pacific Communities. Secretariat of the Pacific Communities 2000.
Notes:Very small sample size
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2015

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:701
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_cook_islands_2015.pdf (last accessed 03.11.20)
Notes:NB Small Sample size
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2011

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-15
Sample size:1274
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2011_GSHS_FS_Cook_Islands.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:WHO

Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2013-2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:918
Area covered:National
References:STEPS Survey Cook Islands 2013-15, available at https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/611 (last accessed 16.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2015

Survey type:Self-reported
Sample size:701
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Cook Islands Factsheet 2015. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/cook-islands/gshs/gshs-fs-cook-islands-2015.pdf?sfvrsn=b6b57041_3&download=true.
Cutoffs:WHO

Insufficient physical activity

Adults, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Men, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Women, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Children, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Boys, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Girls, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Children, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Boys, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Girls, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption)

Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption)

Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Raised blood pressure

Adults, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Men, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Women, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Raised cholesterol

Adults, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Men, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Women, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Raised fasting blood glucose

Men, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

Women, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

Diabetes prevalence

Adults, 2021

Age:20-79
Area covered:National
References:Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation.  IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, %

Adults, 2017

References:Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%).

Policies, Interventions and Actions

Cook Islands Strategic Action plan to prevent and control Non-communicable diseases 2021-2025

This strategy and action plan draws from global, regional, and national commitments to prevent and control NCDs, as well as the two previous Cook Islands NCD plans (2009-2014, 2015-2019). This is an evolving process that takes a life course approach which seeks to empower people and communities to act decisively to live healthier lives whether at home, school, work, play, or church. The strategy focuses in on what they consider to be an obesity epidemic on the island.

Categories:Evidence of NCD strategy
Categories (partial):Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2021-2025
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.health.gov.ck
Linked document:Download linked document

National Health strategic plan 2017-2021

Aims to improve the health of the population focusing on non-communicable disease, smoking, overweight and obesity.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Categories (partial):Evidence of NCD strategy
Year(s):2017-2021
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health Cook Islands.
Find out more:policycookislands.wordpress.com
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Home Page | Country Planning Cycle Database [Internet]. extranet.who.int. [cited 2020y Jul 23]. Available from: https://extranet.who.int/countryplanningcycles/?field_pc_file_category_tid=All&field_file_year_value=All‌

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Categories:Evidence of Obesity Target
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:World Health Organisation
References:Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Cook Islands National Strategy and Action Plan for NCDs 2015-2019

One of the goals of this strategy is to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children and adults living in the Cook Islands by 10% by 2019.

Categories:Evidence of NCD strategy
Year(s):2015-2019
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.health.gov.ck
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Cook Islands - National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non Communicable Diseases | ICCP Portal [Internet]. www.iccp-portal.org. [cited 2020m Jul 22]. Available from: https://www.iccp-portal.org/cook-islands-national-strategy-and-action-plan-prevent-and-control-non-communicable-diseases‌

Food Regulations 2014

The Food Regulations were passed by Parliament in 2014. These Regulations outline general Codex food standards to adapt to the Cook Islands, labelling and packaging claims, importation of food products, and regulating food marketing to children.

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2014 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Government
Find out more:www.health.gov.ck
Linked document:Download linked document

Sugar Tax in Cook Islands

Exise tax NZD 9.80/kg of sugar content in soft drinks introduced on April 1st 2014

Categories:Taxation/Subsidies on Food or Beverages or law relating to public health
Year(s):2014 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Cook Islands Government
Find out more:www.citc.co.ck
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Isl C, Centre s T. Soft Drinks (Sugar Tax) [Internet]. Cook Islands Trading Corporation. [cited 2020 Jul 23]. Available from: https://www.citc.co.ck/citc-food/supermarket/soft-drinks-sugar-tax/

Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Management Guidelines

These Guidelines outline the clinical management and protocols for people with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

Categories:Evidence of Management/treatment guidelines
Year(s):2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.health.gov.ck
Linked document:Download linked document

Multisectoral Working Committee

Multi-sectoral approach to implement and monitor strategies and activities in the 'National Strategy and Action Plan for Non-communicable Diseases'. Includes nutrition and obesity policy.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2012 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
References:https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/26925

The Cook Islands National Health Strategy

Objectives include promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing risk factors, e.g. physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, increasing fruit and vegetable intake and tackling risk taking behaviour.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Categories (partial):Evidence of NCD strategy
Year(s):2012-2016
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:extranet.who.int
Linked document:Download linked document
References:National Health Strategy [Internet]. 2012b. Available from: https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/sites/default/files/COK%202012%20National%20Health%20Strategy.pdf

Live Smart - Be Active - Eat Wisely

Eating Smart • Being Active is an evidence-based, healthy eating and active living curriculum originally written in 2005, updated in 2010, and thoroughly revised in 2017. The curriculum is designed to be taught by paraprofessionals to limited resource adult learners. Curriculum content is based on the latest research findings from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. The 9 lessons, each 90 to 120 minutes in length, are designed to be taught in sequential order, building on previous lesson content. The authors of Eating Smart • Being Active utilized the Socio-ecological Model, the Social Cognitive Theory and Adult Learning principles when developing the curriculum. Activities include dialogue-based learning and hands-on activities. New information sections, or the lecture portion of each lesson, are short and informative. Kinesthetic activities help participants engage in the learning process, increasing their retention of the new information and skills, and the likelihood of positive behavior change. Lesson content includes physical activity, nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, food preparation (cooking skill development), food safety, and food resource management.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2006 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Government
Find out more:eatingsmartbeingactive.colostate.edu
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Description – Eating Smart • Being Active [Internet]. [cited 2020n Jul 22]. Available from: http://eatingsmartbeingactive.colostate.edu/eating-smart-%E2%80%A2-being-active/about/description/

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health (information provided by the GINA progam)
Find out more:extranet.who.int
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

Contextual factors

Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.

Labelling

Is there mandatory nutrition labelling?Present
Front-of-package labelling?Absent
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Present
Color coding?Absent
Warning label?Absent

Regulation and marketing

Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products?Present
Tax on unhealthy foods?Absent
Tax on unhealthy drinks?Present
Are there fiscal policies on healthy products?Unknown
Subsidy on fruits?Present
Subsidy on vegetables?Unknown
Subsidy on other healthy products?Unknown
Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)?Unknown
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Unknown
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? Unknown
Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Present
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media?Present
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media?Present
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Unknown
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?Unknown
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products?Unknown
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement?Unknown

Political will and support

National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy?Unknown
National obesity strategy?Unknown
National childhood obesity strategy?Present
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?Unknown
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Unknown
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Unknown
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Present
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Present
Promotion of breastfeeding?Present

Monitoring and surveillance

Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors?Present
Within 5 years?Absent

Governance and resource

Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)?Present

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated January 16, 2023

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Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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