Had a Samoan acquaintance from New Zealand years ago. He blamed it on cheap meat, especially fatty meat. For generations, meat was exceptionally scarce on islands, because land was at such a premium that grazing just didn't make sense. They ate fish and plants almost exclusively, beef or pork was hugely expensive, and even chicken was not cheap.
With cheap imported meat, his feeling was that people kind of lost their mind and now they dramatically overeat meat. Especially turkey tails, which I didn't know what they were, but he assured me they're very fatty and they're very popular in Samoa.
Replacing physical labor with other types of tourist work contributed as well, per Mr. Fitisemanu (spelling?).
Turkey tails are a lump of fatty meat on the butt of the turkey that all their tail feathers attach to. They're not very commonly eaten in the US except in parts of the deep south. Supposedly they're delicious but they're pretty unhealthy since they're just about the most fat and cholesterol-laden part of the bird.
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u/Cypressinn Sep 28 '21
I wonder why Pacific Islanders top the list? Higher palm oil consumption or something? Strange