Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume 1, Issue 3, 1985, Pages 169-178

Diabetes in Wallis Polynesians: A comparison of residents of Wallis Island and first generation migrants to Noumea, New Caledonia (Article)

Taylor R.* , Bennett P. , Uili R. , Joffres M. , Germain R. , Levy S. , Zimmet P.
  • a South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia, Australia, Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia
  • b South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia, Australia, Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia
  • c South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia, Australia, Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia
  • d South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia, Australia, Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia
  • e Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia, Medical Centre, Société le Nickel, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia
  • f South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, Australia, Australia, Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia
  • g Health Department, Wallis Island, Australia, Australia, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

A comparative study of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and obesity was undertaken in samples of rural Wallisians of Wallis Island and first generation Wallisian migrants in the urban centre of Noumea, New Caledonia. Approximately 20-25% of the adult population of the 2 communities was included in the study. Wallisians in Noumea tended to be more obese than those in Wallis (particularly females). The prevalence of diabetes was 7 and 4 times higher in Noumea compared to Wallis for males and females respectively. Differences in the extent of obesity appeared to account for some of the difference in prevalence of diabetes, but other environmental factors (such as constituents of the diet, and exercise) must be operative as well. The results of this study are consistent with previous findings concerning environmental determinants of diabetes in Pacific populations. © 1985 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division) All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Obesity Wallis Polynesians Urban-rural diabetes Impaired glucose tolerance

Index Keywords

polynesia Australia risk human epidemiology middle aged diabetes mellitus New Caledonia obesity priority journal Aged geographic distribution Humans geography male environmental factor female prevalence Glucose Tolerance Test adult migration heredity Endocrine System impaired glucose tolerance
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0022236360&doi=10.1016%2fS0168-8227%2885%2980007-3&partnerID=40&md5=436c36d7b3c9658b85ce19f61c67a413
DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8227(85)80007-3
ISSN: 01688227
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English