Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Anthropometric Evaluation of Polynesian Males on the Island of Niihau-1963

A study of 30 adult Polynesian males living on the isolated Hawaiian island of Niihau was conducted in October 1963. These relatively pure Polynesians were distinctly overweight, had a high prevalence of diabetes, and were hypertensive. Hematocrit values and whole blood viscosity were elevated. Serum uric acid levels were normal. Though Hawaiians generally have a high mortality rate from coronary heart disease, the average serum cholesterol level for this group was 30 to 40 mg% lower than in most populations having a high prevalence of coronary heart disease.