France, Aug. 16 -- Obesity rates in French Polynesia have risen sharply over the past decade, with new government figures showing worsening levels of diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions.

The prevalence of obesity among adults increased by 11 percent points over 11 years, according to the latest statistics on the health of the Polynesian population from 2019 to 2025, published by the local health authorities in Papeete.

From 40 percent in 2010, the obesity rate among people aged 18 to 69 rose to 51 percent in 2021 - more than one in two.

The figures also show that nearly one in four adolescents was obese by 2024.

Health conditions associated with obesity have also risen, with 35.5 percent of adults affected by hi...