How many calories do Samoans eat?

November 29, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2018 study, the average per capita daily intake of calories in Samoa was identified to be approximately 3,509 kcal (per adult male equivalent), but this figure masks significant regional and individual differences. Factors like income, location, and the ongoing nutrition transition have dramatically reshaped how many calories Samoans eat today compared to past generations.

Quick Summary

An average Samoan's calorie intake is high but varies significantly by region and lifestyle. The diet has shifted from traditional starchy root crops and seafood to modern processed and imported foods, increasing overall energy and fat consumption and impacting health outcomes.

Key Points

Average Calorie Intake is High: Studies show the average per capita daily intake of calories in Samoa is notably high, around 3,509 kcal/adult male equivalent, though figures vary by region and study.
Dietary Shift is Key: The shift from a traditional diet of root crops and fresh seafood to a modern diet of imported, processed, high-fat, and sugary foods has driven up calorie consumption.
Significant Regional Variations: Urban areas like Apia tend to have lower calorie intake compared to rural areas like Savaii, though both are impacted by modern food systems.
Income Impacts Food Choices: Lower-income households may consume different food types and have less access to certain nutrients, yet still face challenges affording an optimally nutritious diet.
High Calories Fuel Health Crisis: The high-calorie, lower-nutrient modern diet is a major contributor to rising obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related health problems among Samoans.
Promoting Local Foods is Critical: Efforts to address health concerns include encouraging the consumption of traditional, locally-grown foods like taro, breadfruit, and fresh fish.
Addressing Sedentary Lifestyles: The transition to more sedentary, urban lifestyles exacerbates the health impact of high-calorie diets, contrasting with the high physical activity once needed for food acquisition.

Understanding Samoan Calorie Intake

Determining exactly how many calories Samoans eat is a complex issue, influenced by a blend of tradition, modernization, and socioeconomic factors. While studies have provided estimates, it's clear there is no single figure, with intake varying significantly between urban and rural areas, and by socioeconomic status. A study published in the CABI Digital Library estimated that the average Samoan adult male had access to 3,509 calories per day, close to the 3,669 calories required for maintenance at their average physical activity level. In contrast, a 1999 study comparing American and Western Samoans found averages of 2,468 kcal and 2,835 kcal, respectively, indicating differences influenced by modernization. A long-term analysis showed average daily calorie availability in Samoa rose by 47% between 1961 and 2007, from 1960 kcal to 2886 kcal per capita. This reflects the significant changes in the country's food environment. Calorie intake is lower in urban regions like Apia and higher in rural regions like Savaii. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of Samoan nutrition and the need to look beyond a single national average to understand the full picture.

The Nutrition Transition: From Tradition to Modernity

The most significant factor influencing calorie intake and diet in Samoa is the nutrition transition, the shift from a traditional, subsistence-based diet to a modern diet of processed, imported foods.

Traditional Samoan Diet

For generations, the traditional Samoan diet was based on locally sourced staples, requiring significant physical labor for cultivation and preparation. This diet was high in fiber and energy-dense carbohydrates from natural sources, balanced with protein from seafood and other meats.

Traditional dietary staples included:

Root Crops: Taro, yams, and cassava.
Starchy Fruits: Breadfruit and bananas.
Coconuts: A vital source of fat and calories.
Protein: Fresh fish, shellfish, and meat.
Preparation: Food was often cooked in an umu, or traditional earth oven, requiring physical exertion.

Modern Samoan Diet

The shift began with increased imports and has accelerated with globalization, making high-calorie, low-nutrient processed foods readily available and often cheaper. This has dramatically altered the dietary landscape.

Modern dietary elements include:

Processed Meats: Tinned beef ('povi masima') and imported chicken pieces are common.
Refined Carbohydrates: White rice, instant noodles, and bread are common staples.
Sugary Drinks and Snacks: Soft drinks, cakes, and sweets contribute significantly to calorie intake.
Fats: Imported vegetable oils and margarine are used more frequently.

Caloric Comparison: Traditional vs. Modern Diet

The table below contrasts the general caloric and nutritional profiles of traditional and modern Samoan diets, highlighting the impact of the nutrition transition.


Feature	Traditional Diet	Modern Diet
Calorie Sources	Dominated by natural carbohydrates from root crops, coconuts, and fruits.	Dominated by processed, imported, and refined foods, including fatty meats and sugary drinks.
Fat Content	Primarily healthy, natural fats from coconuts and fish.	High in saturated fats from imported meats, processed foods, and added oils.
Protein	Derived from fresh fish, seafood, and some traditional meats.	Often from cheaper, processed sources like tinned meat and chicken.
Fiber	High fiber content from abundant vegetables, root crops, and fruits.	Significantly lower fiber due to a reduced intake of vegetables and reliance on refined grains.
Nutrient Density	High in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients from fresh foods.	Lower nutrient density, with excess calories often coming from sugar and fat.
Physical Activity	Often accompanied by high physical exertion from subsistence agriculture and food preparation.	Typically associated with more sedentary, urban lifestyles.

Conclusion

The question of how many calories do Samoans eat does not have a single, simple answer. Estimates range depending on the study and timeframe, but what is undeniable is the significant upward trend in calorie availability over recent decades, driven by a shift away from traditional, labor-intensive subsistence diets towards modern, processed, and energy-dense imported foods. This transition has had documented health consequences, including increased obesity and metabolic syndrome. Understanding this dietary evolution is crucial for public health initiatives in Samoa, requiring a focus on restoring traditional dietary patterns while addressing modern challenges. Further research into how socioeconomic factors influence food choices and calorie intake will be important for developing effective health strategies.

For more information on the health implications of this dietary shift, you can read more at the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The Health Impact of Changing Calorie Intake

The increase in caloric intake, particularly from less nutritious sources, is a major public health concern. Massive adiposity and high prevalence of obesity characterize modernizing adult Samoans. This is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The interaction between a population with a potential genetic predisposition for adiposity (which may have been an evolutionary advantage for early Polynesian voyagers) and a rapid change to a calorie-rich, sedentary lifestyle has created a perfect storm for these health issues. Furthermore, studies have shown an association between specific dietary patterns and metabolic outcomes, with mixed diets containing healthier, traditional foods being more protective against metabolic syndrome than diets dominated by processed items. Addressing calorie intake and dietary quality is therefore a primary objective for health advocates in Samoa.

The Role of Income and Location

Income and location play a significant role in determining how many calories Samoans eat. A study found that households in lower income brackets had different consumption patterns compared to higher income households, accessing less protein and fat on a per capita basis, but still struggling to afford an 'optimum food basket' that meets all nutritional needs. Rural areas, where subsistence farming is more prevalent, often have access to more traditional, locally-grown foods and potentially higher physical activity, though access to imported goods still plays a role. Urban areas, with more sedentary lifestyles and greater exposure to convenience foods, face different challenges. The differing caloric intake across regions underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for targeted nutritional and public health interventions.

What the Future Holds for Samoan Nutrition

Moving forward, the focus for Samoan nutrition is twofold: first, addressing the health crisis driven by high and often poorly-sourced calorie consumption, and second, finding sustainable solutions that promote healthy eating habits. This includes promoting locally grown produce like taro and other staples, while also educating the public on balanced nutrition. Encouraging more active lifestyles is also critical. The ongoing challenge is to navigate the tension between maintaining cultural traditions related to food and embracing modernization, all while ensuring a healthy, well-nourished population. The transition from a lifestyle requiring high caloric expenditure for food acquisition to one where high-calorie foods are easily accessible is a critical public health puzzle for Samoa to solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

While figures vary by study and population group, one report estimated the average per capita daily intake of calories in Samoa to be 3,509 kcal per adult male equivalent. Other studies have found different averages depending on location and year.

The Samoan diet has shifted from one based on traditional, locally-sourced foods like root crops, coconuts, and fresh seafood to a modern diet with a higher reliance on imported, processed foods, including tinned meats, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates.

The shift towards a modern diet with higher calorie and fat content has contributed to rising rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease among the Samoan population.

Yes, studies show that calorie intake is generally lower in urban regions like Apia compared to rural regions such as Savaii. This is likely due to differing lifestyles, access to food, and activity levels.

Research indicates that income level influences dietary choices. Lower-income households may consume less protein and fat per capita than higher-income households and may struggle to afford a nutritionally adequate diet, despite consuming fewer overall calories.

The traditional diet centered around root crops like taro and yams, starchy fruits such as breadfruit and bananas, coconuts, and fresh protein from fish and other seafood.

Some evolutionary perspectives suggest that a genetic predisposition for efficient metabolism and rapid fat storage, potentially an advantage for early Polynesians, may interact with the modern diet to contribute to the high rates of obesity seen today.