The Sunday to’ona’i and other lifestyle choices could be leading most Samoans towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), warns a general practitioner, as he encourages a change to a healthier option.

High salt, sugar and fatty intake are the major contributing factors, said Lauano Dr Herbert Peters.

“However, it is not just high salt intake, but other contributing factors as well, like high sugar and fat intake, and unhealthy habits like smoking.

“Fatty and high-sodium foods raise blood pressure,” said Dr Peters.

He said that NCDs are highly impacted by lifestyle habits.

“Here in Samoa, we look forward to Sunday to’ona’i. Where we consume a variety of fatty foods, like pork and other foods,” he said. “These unhealthy foods are our enemy.” 

Lauono said that heart diseases can be caused by other NCDs like diabetes and high blood pressure. A lack of exercise also contributes to these NCDs. Nowadays, most people are not exercising enough, such as walking or running.

“Exercise is important for the body.” 

He said that families that exercise and eat healthily are not at risk of health complications. 

“They cut down on fatty and salty food, and most especially sweet drinks,” said Lauono.

“If we sit around doing nothing, it will not help the heart work at its best.”

He said that some people suffer from dialysis because their kidneys have failed, which is caused by NCDs like diabetes and others. 

He advises people to live healthy lifestyles and urges people to be educated on NCDs to help fight them. 

NCDs remain the biggest burden for the health system. Close to 80 per cent of deaths in Samoa has been linked to NCDs.