Diabetes in the Marshall Islands
Does Your Diet Speak Marshallese?
An essay about nutrition in the Marshall Islands
English 12
May 3, 2013
Asia Chong-Gum
Introduction
Far into the waters of the Pacific Ocean, lies a strip of land which holds within it a unique and fascinating culture. Sadly, that island’s culture is slowly being undermined by Western culture. The Marshall Islands has been suffering several epidemics such as diabetes and other non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy diet and lack of proper nutrition. Marshallese have influenced their traditional eating styles by the western eating styles, causing great problems.
This report consists of three sections. Section 1 discusses the affects of a slowly developing country on the Marshallese diet. Section 2 discusses how the epidemic of diabetes has worsened due to the loss of culture and the difficult task of bringing old eating traditions back. Section 3 discusses improvements in which have been done to the epidemic and the greatest benefactor that has been granted to the Marshall Islands.
This essay will hopefully provide a shocking realization of why Marshallese people and many others need to act now. Prevention of other Marshallese suffering what most of their ancestors have suffered needs to start now.
Section 1: A Shift in the Daily Diet of a Marshallese Person
Through the 1940s in the Marshall Islands, statistics did not exist about non-communicable diseases caused by unhealthy eating habits. The Marshallese people’s daily diet consisted of fish, breadfruit, pandanus, and coconuts. Not one person ate canned foods with added preservatives. Marshallese people during that era were not as dependent on the US Government compared to Marshallese people now. Due to the Marshall Islands’ isolation from other developed countries, prices for importing goods are costly for its economy. This situation forces Marshallese people to buy the cheapest foods, which are canned and compounded. Now, with their desire of adopting
An essay about nutrition in the Marshall Islands
English 12
May 3, 2013
Asia Chong-Gum
Introduction
Far into the waters of the Pacific Ocean, lies a strip of land which holds within it a unique and fascinating culture. Sadly, that island’s culture is slowly being undermined by Western culture. The Marshall Islands has been suffering several epidemics such as diabetes and other non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy diet and lack of proper nutrition. Marshallese have influenced their traditional eating styles by the western eating styles, causing great problems.
This report consists of three sections. Section 1 discusses the affects of a slowly developing country on the Marshallese diet. Section 2 discusses how the epidemic of diabetes has worsened due to the loss of culture and the difficult task of bringing old eating traditions back. Section 3 discusses improvements in which have been done to the epidemic and the greatest benefactor that has been granted to the Marshall Islands.
This essay will hopefully provide a shocking realization of why Marshallese people and many others need to act now. Prevention of other Marshallese suffering what most of their ancestors have suffered needs to start now.
Section 1: A Shift in the Daily Diet of a Marshallese Person
Through the 1940s in the Marshall Islands, statistics did not exist about non-communicable diseases caused by unhealthy eating habits. The Marshallese people’s daily diet consisted of fish, breadfruit, pandanus, and coconuts. Not one person ate canned foods with added preservatives. Marshallese people during that era were not as dependent on the US Government compared to Marshallese people now. Due to the Marshall Islands’ isolation from other developed countries, prices for importing goods are costly for its economy. This situation forces Marshallese people to buy the cheapest foods, which are canned and compounded. Now, with their desire of adopting
Cited: 6. Nutrition Journal. Author Semba D Richard. Published December 8, 2004. http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/21. Retrieved Jan 26, 13. 7 8. New York State Department of Health (NYSDH). http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/basicstat.htm. Revised April 1999. Retrieved April 22, 2013. 9 10. WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for the Marshall Islands 2013-2017. http://www.wpro.who.int/countries/mhl/who_pacific_marshall_island.pdf. Retrieved April 24, 2013. 11. A Short History of Canvasback. Canvasback Missions, Inc. http://www.canvasback.org/. Retrieved April 26, 2013. 14. RMI Census of Population and Housing 2011. Published February 14, 2012. http://www.doi.gov/oia/reports/upload/RMI-2011-Census-Summary-Report-on-Population-and-Housing.pdf. Retrieved April 25, 2013.