Tackling youth obesity across Pacific Island nations

Curbing youth obesity across Pacific Island nations will be at the forefront of an innovative collaboration between Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and Novo Nordisk.

The three-year project will develop scalable, youth-centred models of care to tackle the growing problem among adolescents in the region while reducing risks and improving health outcomes for future generations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced this week at Parliament House in Canberra, which was witnessed by Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary during their state visit to Australia.

Novo Nordisk President and CEO Mike Doustdar reflected on the strong bilateral relationship and shared commitment to health innovation between Denmark and Australia. He was joined by MCRI Director Professor Kathryn North AC and MCRI Professor Peter Azzopardi, Group Leader of Global Adolescent Health.

Image: MCRI Professor Kathryn North AC, Novo Nordisk Oceania General Manager Michael Azrak and Novo Nordisk President and CEO Mike Doustdar.

How prevalent is adolescent obesity in Pacific Island countries?

Pacific Island countries have some of the highest obesity rates globally, accounting for nine of the 10 countries with the highest prevalences. Concerningly, obesity-related chronic diseases have risen sharply in recent decades, causing a large burden of preventable disability, premature death and reduced participation in the workforce.

Adolescence is now recognised as a critical life stage to address obesity. Prevention and early intervention during the adolescent years can reduce health risks for disease in later life and break intergenerational cycles of poor health. Accessible models of care can also improve outcomes, including prevention and care for early onset of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

A new collaboration to strengthen adolescent health

Under the MoU, the initiative will start in Fiji and draw on regional insights from across other Pacific Island nations.

The program is framed around two key phases:

Phase 1: The project will establish a local leadership group, with young people’s involvement, synthesise available data, and undertake a series of consultations to broadly explore the acceptability and potential feasibility of therapeutic approaches to clinical obesity.

Phase 2: Dependent on findings from phase 1, the team will co-design a youth centred model of care and assess the acceptability and feasibility of GLP-1 therapies in real-world settings.

Shaping healthier futures

Professor Azzopardi said, “MCRI has a long and proud history of working hand-in-hand with our friends and colleagues across the Asia Pacific region. This new collaboration continues that tradition. We’re looking forward to contributing to substantial health impact and reducing the burden of obesity and related diseases in our region.”

Mr Doustdar said, “By putting young people at the centre, this collaboration advances our aim to expand equitable access to high quality obesity care. Working with local partners to co-design sustainable solutions will help improve long-term health outcomes for adolescents and their communities across Pacific Island nations.”

Insights generated through the program will inform evidence-based recommendations designed to support sustainable and equitable improvements in adolescent health over the long-term.

Image: Nordisk Oceania General Manager Michael Azrak, Heart of Australia Founder and Director Dr Rolf Gomes, Novo Nordisk Oceania Senior Medical Director Dr Ana Svensson, MCRI Professor Kathryn North AC and Novo Nordisk Oceania Patient Advocacy Lead Val Staikou.

About Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is one of the world’s top three child health research institutes, dedicated to improving the health of children and adolescents in Australia and around the world. In 2026, MCRI celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of transforming child health through research, discovery and innovation. Its breakthroughs have improved diagnosis, informed global vaccine strategies, advanced precision medicine, and continue to redefine what’s possible for sick children.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 68,800 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk has been operating in Australia since 1976. We deliver medicines to more than 1.6 million patients in Australia for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, rare diseases and other serious chronic diseases.