Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for an estimated 84 per cent of premature deaths in Fiji.

This was revealed by World Health Organisation Strategic Planning Officer Shiva Singh yesterday.

Ms Singh made the comment while speaking at the Wellness and NCDs multi-sectoral consultation workshop in Suva on Tuesday.

She said the issue of premature deaths has become a socio-economic burden to the country.

She said the prevalence of NCDs in Fiji was due to the lack of physical activities, poor or unbalanced diets, excessive use of tobacco and alcohol and basically environmental factors.

An emphasis must be placed on prevention and promoting wellness in our communities, she added.

She said according to a 2011 STEPS survey on NCDs, 66.9 per cent of the total population was obese, 14.4 per cent had raised fasting blood sugar, 85 per cent eat less than five servings of fruits and vegetables while 16.6 percent of the population smoked daily.

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