Tonga attracting fatter tourists

Published: 12:04PM Thursday November 15, 2007 Source: Reuters

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Tonga has become the travel destination for fat people who want to feel skinny - without changing anything.

While some tourists are attracted to its picture-perfect beaches, there are those who just feel comfortable being in a country where almost everyone seems to be enormous.

One Australian sunbather says she does not feel ashamed to be overweight there - at just 10 kilos above her ideal weight she looks positively emaciated compared to the locals.

Tonga is the fourth fattest nation on earth, with 90.8% of people in the country overweight.

There is no social stigma on being big, with obesity traditionally associated with high social status and wealth.

That is something the Pacific nation is trying to change.

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