Page 27 - Reading Success B9

On the Fiji Islands of the South Pacific, diet books would never be the big sellers
they are in the United States. Although Fiji Islanders have definite ideas about how a
person should look, they don't care much about being overweight. On the contrary,
Fijians like sturdy muscles and a generally well-fed look in both men and women. To
a large degree, the preference for plumpness among Fijians stems from their culture's
emphasis on community rather than appearance.

Unlike Americans, who prize individualism, the Fijians care more about the good of
the community than they do about themselves as individuals. For them, standing out
in a crowd is never as important as showing a nurturing and caring attitude toward
friends. What is the primary vehicle for showing your friends you care for them? It's
serving them food, of course. For the Fijians, offering food to friends and family is a
way of showing you're concerned about their physical and emotional well-being. At
dinnertime, Fijians routinely open their windows and doors so that the aroma of the
meal will waft outside and attract passersby. Extra food is always prepared so that
anyone attracted by the smell of dinner can stop by for a snack. It is, in fact, a social
disgrace not to have enough food for drop-in guests.
Due to their perspective on food and its cultural significance, Fijians consider
dieting socially unacceptable. Dieting prevents the person invited to dine from
accepting the invitation. In addition, what dieter would willingly prepare huge, tempting
meals for friends and family? Thus, parents watch their children carefully for signs
that they might be losing weight. They do so not because they want their children to
achieve and maintain a certain weight, but because they want to make sure their
children are fully participating in the community, which is expressed by the sharing of
food.

As a result of the Fijians' attitude toward food, children in particular are spared the
painful experience so common to Americans of all ages the failed diet. They aren't
obsessed with their personal appearance and they don't constantly compare
themselves to those a bit trimmer or thinner. If anything, they pity others for failing to
be appropriately plump. However, the Fijian emphasis on food and the celebration of
body fat does have one drawback. Children who need to limit their intake of calories
for health reasons say, a child with diabetes can become anxious or depressed
because they are unable to fully participate in the community's common feasting.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. the disadvantages of dieting
b. the eating culture of Fiji

c. the unique diet of Fijians
d. various methods to lose weight

30_Reading Success B 9