Exercise habits and perception of physical exercise among residents of an island in the Western Pacific Region

[Purpose] The current study aimed to validate the exercise habits and perception of physical exercise among residents of an island in the Western Pacific Region, where the high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases is a serious health issue. [Participants and Methods] Semi-structured interviews were conducted with one doctor, three nurses, and six patients from a noncommunicable disease clinic on one island of the Kingdom of Tonga. The questions focused on the patients’ exercise habits and perception of physical exercise. Their comments were structured using the KJ method. [Results] Structuring of the comments revealed that the exercise habits of the island residents had three unique features: variations in thinking and behavior toward exercise, variations in the amount of daily exercise, and the presence of key persons in the community who affect their exercise habits. [Conclusion] Exercise programs suitable for countries in the Western Pacific Region that consider environmental and cultural factors should be developed and disseminated in the future.