Introduction - The objective of this study is to identify cultural, social, and economic factors related to diet that are associated with the development of obesity and to describe perceptions of body image among adults in French Polynesia. Method - A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1,006 individuals aged 16 and older in the Society Islands, using a standardized questionnaire administered in person at the respondents’ homes. The quota method was used for sampling. Data collection included a qualitative approach focusing on aesthetic ideals, participants’ weight history, and dietary patterns among Polynesians, as well as a quantitative approach using anthropometric measurements to estimate the prevalence of obesity. Results - High prevalences of obesity (39%) and overweight (30%) were found. A comparison of the prevalence rates obtained according to the definitions of the World Health Organization and the South Pacific Commission reveals differences in how the issue of obesity is approached from a public health perspective. For nearly half of the respondents, their perception of their own body size is at odds with their actual body size. The ideal of thinness, which is more prevalent among young people, appears to be replacing the "well-built" body type that is still valued among those over 60. The alternating use of two dietary patterns during the week and on weekends is evident: one consisting of two meals (the traditional Polynesian system) and the other of three meals a day (a more Western norm). The mixing of these two models, which increases confusion regarding dietary norms, may be a contributing factor to obesity among Polynesians. An inconsistency in perceptions regarding starchy foods is observed. While they play a major role in perceptions of “healthy Polynesian eating” (29% of the sample) and essential foods (21%), starchy foods top the list of foods “that cause the most weight gain” (26%), ahead of sugary foods and fats. [author’s abstract]