Anemia,riboflavindeficiency, andcalciumdefi-
ciency are common nutritional problems in the rural
and urban areas of many islands, while heart disease,
hypertension,type 2 diabetes,obesity,andotherchronic
diseases are on the rise. This is primarily due to a
transition from traditional nutritious diets of fresh
fruits, vegetables, poultry, and seafood to a diet with
large amounts of imported and highly refined Western
foods that are low infiberand high in fat and sugars.
Cigarette smoking, an increase inalcohol consump-
tion, and a decreased level of physical activity are also
contributing factors.
Obesity among Pacific Islanders is among the
highest in the world, regardless of the island. Obesity
may be due to a genetic predisposition and a cultural
preference toward being heavy, but there is a high
prevalence of physical inactivity among this popula-
tion. Attitudes toward obesity are slowly changing,
however, and it is gradually being viewed as unheal-
thy. Small studies that have placed obese and diabetic
individuals on traditional diets have shown very good
results, as individuals lost weight and diabetics were
able to reduce or eliminate the need for insulin.
PrecautionsThe natural beauty of the Pacific Islands makes
them popular destinations for ecotourists, and food-
borne and water-borne diseases are the number one
cause of illness among travelers. Visitors are therefore
advised to wash their hands often and to drink only
bottled or boiled water or carbonated drinks in cans or
bottles. They also should avoid tap water, fountain
drinks, and ice cubes.
Resources
PERIODICALS
Becker, A.; Burwell, R.; Navara, K.; and Gilman, S. (2003).
‘‘Binge Eating and Binge-Eating Disorder in a Small-
Scale, Indigenous Society: The View From Fiji.’’Inter-
national Journal of Eating Disorders34(4):423–432.
Kittler, P. G., and Sucher, K. P. (2001).Food and Culture,
3rd edition. Stamford, CT: Wadsworth.
OTHER
Union College. ‘‘Fiji: A Digital Ethnography.’’ Available
fromhttp://fiji.union.edu
U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division.
‘‘The Status and Trends of the Nation’s Biological
Resources: Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.’’ Available
fromhttp://biology.usgs.gov/
Delores C. S. JamesPantothenic acid
Definition
Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B 5 , belongs
to the group of B-complex water-solublevitamins.
Every living organism needs pantothenic acid to sur-
vive. Humans do not make this vitamin and must
obtain it from the food they eat.Purpose
Pantothenic acid is essential to all cells. It helps
regulate the chemical reactions that produce energy
from the breakdown offats,carbohydrates, and pro-
teins. It is also involved in the synthesis of cholesterol,
some fatty acids, and some steroid hormones.Description
Pantothenic acid was discovered in 1936 and soon
afterward was recognized as a vitamin essential to
growth. Pantothenic acid is found in all living things.
Its name is derived from the Greek word ‘‘pantos,’’
which means ‘‘everywhere.’’
Pantothenic acid joins with another molecule to
form coenzyme A (CoA). Coenzymes are small mole-
cules that regulate enzyme reactions. CoA is involved
in many essential metabolic reactions that produce
energy and synthesize new molecules. Without panto-
thenic acid, there would be no CoA, and life would
cease. Some of the activities that require CoA, and
thus indirectly pantothenic acid, include:
converting fats, carbohydrates, and proteins from
food into energy that the body can use
synthesizing heme, the molecule in red blood cells
that picks up oxygen in the lung and carries it
throughout the body
synthesizing essential fatty acids, cholesterol, and
steroid hormones needed to build new cells
synthesizing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that
carries electrical impulses between nerve cells
stimulating chemical reactions in the liver that help
rid the body of certain drugs and toxins (poisons).
Pantothenic acid is available in multivitamins,
B-complex vitamins, and as a single-ingredient dietary
supplement. Often pantothenic acid is found indiet-
ary supplementsin the form ofcalciumpantothenate
or dexopanthenol, both more stable forms of panto-
thenic acid that the body can use. Diet supplement
manufacturers suggest that pantothenic acid can treat
or prevent certain health conditions. None of these
uses have been proved by independent, well-controlledPantothenic acid