Statistics about obesity in the Pacific island nation of Samoa were alarming and the Ministry of Health was moving to tackle the problem.

According to a survey done in 2002, some 85.2 percent of the population is obese.

Christine Quested, Principal Nutritionist with the Ministry of Health (MOH), said the survey of chronic disease was most relevant to date, the Samoa Observer reported on Thursday.

The survey showed 81.1 percent of men were obese or overweight and 89.8 percent of women were obese or overweight. It means two out of three women between 25-64 years were obese or overweight.

Only 9.9 percent of females fit the normal weight category and 18.7 percent of men.

The survey showed none of the population is underweight.

Quested said health officials were working on ways to lower the percentage of obese and overweight among the population

A big part of the effort is the national Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Policy, which is being finalized.

Late last year, MOH facilitated the establishment of the Parliamentary Health Advocacy Group. They target health issues, such as obesity.

MOH has also founded numerous programs which address diet and exercise habits.