MAORI - THE LAST INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN PROCESS TO GLOBLIZATION

INTRODUCTION: It is evident in the current literature the clear relationship between high blood pressure (hypertension) and the Western lifestyle. Thus, the Maori being - indigenous people originating from New Zealand and Pacific Islands - one of the last ethnic groups to have undergone the process of globalization consequences, become an excellent study model to evaluate the pathophysiological impact of the influence of style life. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of acculturation to the Western world by an indigenous, economically and educationally disadvantaged population. METHODS: Data obtained during the stage of the authors in the Calder Centre Auckland City Mission, New Zealand and literature. in medical search engines, "PubMed" "Tripdatabase". RESULTS: There is an increased prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension in this specific population, across all age groups. The reasons go for genetic issues - transition to the reality and Western culture still too recent for an adaptation to behavioral stimuli force - and educational, for the majority of Maori adults are illiterate and easily influenced by the great affordability to processed food products. Enhances the three most common health problems in this population: hypertension (83%), eye problems (58%) and ischemic heart disease (44%). CONCLUSION: It should be noted as well the need to promote and guide proper and timely subjects of special populations in a holistic approach between the individual and the cultural environment in which it operates, in order to educate and warn of the hidden dangers of lifestyle West. More studies should be performed.