With the assistance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an innovative diabetes prevention program developed in Tonga has been made available to the people of French Polynesia.
The non-profit organization 'Amanaki Fo'ou started as a volunteer diabetes education group dedicated to helping to stop diabetes among the population of Tonga.
After their experiences in Tonga, a delegation from the organization, led by Andrea Ferguson, went to French Polynesia recently to present the program to officials from the country's government.
- Dr-Boissin-explains-what-diabetes-is-and-how-to-fight-it-to-the-participants-of-the-Your-Health-is-in-Your-Hands-class.--French-Polynesia,-May-2021
- Some-of-the-participants-of-the-first-course-on-eating-healthy-and-staying-active,-using-the-Tongan-program-adapted-and-translated-in-French,-with-Dr-Boissin,-the-local-leading-diabetes-doctor.--French-Polynesia,-2021
- Mairagi-Opuu-(front)-and-next-to-her,-Hinano-Jeune-as-a-fitness-coach,-lead-this-pilot-project-based-on-international-cooperation.--French-Polynesia,-May-2021
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The content, similar to the Church’s "Eat Healthy Be Active” program that is part of its extensive materials to help teach self-reliance, was adapted for use by the general public.
With help from the organization and the government of French Polynesia and in coordination with the Church’s Self-reliance and Welfare group in French Polynesia, a new French version was finalized and presented at the end of the first quarter of 2021.
Bruno Ercoli, a local church leader, launched the first session at the Latter-day Saints’ Papeete Stake centre, using the "Your Health is in Your Hands" booklet made available by ‘Amanaki Fo’ou.
Twelve participants took part in the session which was facilitated by Mairagi Opuu and Hinano Jeune.
In the second class, "Understanding diabetes," Manea Tuahu, local mediator on behalf of Amanaki Fo'ou, invited Dr Jean Louis Boissin, a well-known diabetes specialist from French Polynesia, to see how the classes work and to provide advice on diabetes prevention.
“A quarter of the population in French Polynesia is directly affected by this disease,” Dr Boissin said. “I advocate daily physical activity and a healthier diet based on local products and less processed products.
"It's never too late. We must stop talking about the sugar disease. Diabetes is not just about sugar, it is above all a question of behavior,” he said. “Changing behavior is not a problem for politicians and religious people, but a personal and family problem.”
Dr Boissin said he was pleased to see a family in attendance that brought their young teenagers. “To change behavior,” he said, “we must target our adolescents, because we should teach them good eating and exercise habits when they are young.”
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Hina-(in-black-on-the-right)-attended-the-Your-Health-is-in-Your-Hands-class-in-order-to-be-healthy-enough-to-go-hiking-and-play-sports-with-her-children.--French-Polynesia,-May2021
Hina (in black on the right) attended the "Your Health is in Your Hands" class in order to be healthy enough to go hiking and play sports with her children. French Polynesia, May20212021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The participants expressed different reasons for their interest in this course.
“After taking two other self-reliance classes, 'Start My Business' and ‘Finance,’ I decided to take charge of my health,” said Alice Maoni. “I really need to take this course to help me live better and longer.”
Hina Putu wanted to do it for her family. “We like to play sports with our family. But over the years, it got really tough for me. We gave up some activities because I couldn't physically participate. I don't want to penalize my kids anymore by not being able to hike."
For Karl Jeune, the choice is essential. “I am diabetic and I absolutely need to watch my lifestyle. I can't afford to let up. It’s a constant struggle against myself. And this course allows me to stay alert and keep changing my habits for the better."
“With more and more organizations interested in Church materials on health prevention, the ‘Amanaki Fo’ou booklet will undoubtedly be very helpful in the courses offered by the Church in French Polynesia,” said Manea Tuahu.