Residents in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are turning to innovation and digitalization to tackle the growing problem of long-term poor dietary habits and the health concerns that often follow, such as stunting among children, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), specifically diabetes.

NCDs among adults in Pacific SIDS are among the highest in the world. For example, in Samoa and Tonga, diet-related diseases led to 81 percent of the total deaths in 2015, while in Fiji, this figure was even higher at 84 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and Fiji’s Ministry of Health are leading the way with an app designed to promote healthy eating and living. Launched in 2017, the My Kana app aims to empower its users with real time data to become more nutritionally informed and accountable by monitoring their own eating habits.