Te Marae Ora, the Ministry of Health, is focusing on reducing the rate of childhood obesity, with the goal of ensuring that today’s children are free from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from 2030 onwards.

This goal is aligned with the 2025 Cook Islands Annual Health Conference to be held in Rarotonga on October 1 and 2, under the theme “First 1000 Days”.

Secretary for Health Bob Williams said the theme is based on their focus to reduce children obesity.

Williams said: “The first 1000 days of a child is critical to a child’s growth and wellbeing – while we focus on children today through the healthy school/healthy island initiative, baby teeth matters, baby friendly hospital and smoke free Cook Islands, as a nation and community, strengthening the first 1000 days must start now.”

Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 per cent of children having obesity, a study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity revealed last year.

The study published in The Lancet medical journal in March showed that global obesity rates among adult women more than doubled between 1990 and 2022, while rates among adult men tripled. Childhood obesity rates were four times higher in 2022 compared to 1990.

Cook Islands and Niue had the highest childhood obesity rates, where over 30 per cent of kids have obesity.

The nations of Tonga and American Samoa had the highest adult female obesity rates, while Nauru and American Samoa had the rates among adult males, making up 60 per cent of each population.

The 2025 Cook Islands Annual Health Conference will also feature a series of sub-themes, including:

- Combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors

- Baby Teeth Matters

- Baby-Friendly Hospitals

- Healthy Islands

- Research and evidence-based health initiatives

- Community health and well-being

- Mental health and well-being

- Workforce development in the health sector

The event is expected to provide an engaging and interactive platform for health education and awareness especially as students from across Rarotonga, as well as representatives from the outer islands will be participating.

• LL/TMO