Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition and health

Lee, Amanda; Leonard, Dympna; Moloney, Aletia; Minniecon, Deanne

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02559.x

Cited by 30 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Similar to that of Indigenous populations internationally [7], dispossession of Australia's Indigenous peoples has contributed to endemic disadvantage [3,8] and poor nutrition [3,9]. This is associated with the change of dietary patterns that occurred with European invasion, from consumption of traditional nutrient dense, low energy foods [2] to a dependence on poorer quality food handouts of staples such as white flour, sugar and rice [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poor food and nutrient intake among Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural Australian children

et al. 2012

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BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to describe the food and nutrient intake of a population of rural Australian children particularly Indigenous children. Participants were aged 10 to 12 years, and living in areas of relative socio-economic disadvantage on the north coast of New South Wales.MethodsIn this descriptive cross-sectional study 215 children with a mean age of 11.30 (SD 0.04) years (including 82 Indigenous children and 93 boys) completed three 24-hour food recalls (including 1 weekend day), over an average of two weeks in the Australian summer of late 2005.ResultsA high proportion of children consumed less than the Australian Nutrient Reference Values for fibre (74-84% less than Adequate Intake (AI)), calcium (54-86% less than Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)), folate and magnesium (36% and 28% respectively less than EAR among girls), and the majority of children exceeded the upper limit for sodium (68-76% greater than Upper Limit (UL)). Energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) food consumption contributed between 45% and 49% to energy. Hot chips, sugary drinks, high-fat processed meats, salty snacks and white bread were the highest contributors to key nutrients and sugary drinks were the greatest per capita contributor to daily food intake for all. Per capita intake differences were apparent by Indigenous status. Consumption of fruit and vegetables was low for all children. Indigenous boys had a higher intake of energy, macronutrients and sodium than non-Indigenous boys.ConclusionsThe nutrient intake and excessive EDNP food consumption levels of Australian rural children from disadvantaged areas are cause for concern regarding their future health and wellbeing, particularly for Indigenous boys. Targeted intervention strategies should address the high consumption of these foods.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poor food and nutrient intake among Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural Australian children

et al. 2012

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“…Physical inactivity and poor nutrition in childhood has been shown to adversely correlate with chronic lifestyle diseases, including obesity, cardio‐metabolic health and mental health outcomes 10–12 . Physical activity and diet appear as two significant modifiable risk factors with the potential to reduce the current health inequalities 13,14 . A lack of cultural understanding has emerged as a potential barrier limiting Australian Indigenous communities from engaging in health intervention and strategies.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Culture and healthy lifestyles: a qualitative exploration of the role of food and physical activity in three urban Australian Indigenous communities

Crowe

Stanley

Probst

et al. 2017

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objective: 1) To explore the links between Indigenous Australian children's perspectives on culture, and healthy lifestyle behaviours. 2) To provide insight into how to approach the development of a health intervention targeting lifestyle behaviours in Australian Indigenous children.Methods: Seven semi-structured focus groups sessions were conducted with Australian Indigenous children aged 5-12 years living on the South Coast of New South Wales. Audiorecordings were transcribed and thematic analyses were conducted and related to principles of grounded theory.Results: Participants had connections to aspects of Australian Indigenous culture that were embedded in their everyday lives. Healthy lifestyle behaviours (such as healthy eating and physical activity) were found to be interconnected with Australian Indigenous culture and positive emotional wellbeing was identified as an important outcome of connecting Australian Indigenous children to cultural practices. Conclusion:Understanding the importance of culture and its role in healthy lifestyles is critical in the development of health interventions for Indigenous populations.Implication: Health interventions embedded with Australian Indigenous culture may have potential to improve physical and emotional health within Australian Indigenous communities. However, it is unlikely that a 'one size fits all' approach to health interventions can be taken.

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“…A need to focus on the supply and demand side of healthy food and nutrition was identified by several authors who have suggested economic interventions by including greater taxation on energy-dense, nutrient-poor food, subsidisation for healthy food, improved freight and improved remote housing infrastructure for storage and preparation of food [67,68]. An ecological approach to health promotion associated with poor hygiene and burden of infection amongst children recommended: community housing construction, repair and maintenance programs; environmental health programs including garbage collection and disposal; animal control; and maintenance of public places/sewage treatment [69].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Programs That Targeted Environmental Determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Johnston

Doyle

Morgan³

et al. 2013

IJERPH

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Objective: Effective interventions to improve population and individual health require environmental change as well as strategies that target individual behaviours and clinical factors. This is the basis of implementing an ecological approach to health programs and health promotion. For Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders, colonisation has made the physical and social environment particularly detrimental for health. Methods and Results: We conducted a literature review to identify Aboriginal health interventions that targeted environmental determinants of health, identifying 21 different health programs. Program activities that targeted environmental determinants of health included: Caring for Country; changes to food supply and/or policy; infrastructure for physical activity; housing construction and maintenance; anti-smoking policies; increased workforce capacity; continuous quality improvement of clinical systems; petrol substitution; and income management. Targets were categorised according to Miller’s Living Systems Theory. Researchers using an Indigenous community based perspective more often identified interpersonal and community-level targets than were identified using a Western academic perspective. Conclusions: Although there are relatively few papers describing interventions that target environmental determinants of health, many of these addressed such determinants at multiple levels, consistent to some degree with an ecological approach. Interpretation of program targets sometimes differed between academic and community-based perspectives, and was limited by the type of data reported in the journal articles, highlighting the need for local Indigenous knowledge for accurate program evaluation. Implications: While an ecological approach to Indigenous health is increasingly evident in the health research literature, the design and evaluation of such programs requires a wide breadth of expertise, including local Indigenous knowledge.

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Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition and health

Cited by 30 publications

References 14 publications

Poor food and nutrient intake among Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural Australian children

Poor food and nutrient intake among Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural Australian children

Culture and healthy lifestyles: a qualitative exploration of the role of food and physical activity in three urban Australian Indigenous communities

A Review of Programs That Targeted Environmental Determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

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