Study protocol for evaluating Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM): a community-based, Pacific-driven approach to health

Abstract

Background Buttabean Motivation (BBM) is a Pacific-led organisation which aims to reduce obesity amongst Pacific and Māori people in New Zealand enabling them to choose a healthy and active life-style for the duration of their lives, their children, their wider family and the community. BBM offers a holistic approach to weight loss, recognising that mental health, family and cultural factors all play essential and critical role in nutrition and physical activity patterns. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of BBM for sustained health and wellbeing outcomes among its predominantly Pacific and Māori participants for both general BBM members and those with morbid obesity attending the ‘From the Couch’ programme. Methods Quasi-experimental pre-post quantitative cohort study design with measured or self-reported weight at various time intervals for both cohorts. Weight will be analysed with general linear mixed model for repeated measures, and compared with a prediction model generated from the literature using a mixed method meta-analysis. The secondary outcome is change in pre- and post scores of Māori scale of health and well-being, Hua Oranga. Discussion Multiple studies have shown that many diet and physical activity programmes can create short-term weight loss. The fundamental question is whether BBM members maintain weight loss over time. In New Zealand, Pacific and Māori engagement in health enhancing programmes remains an important strategy for achieving better health and wellbeing outcomes, and quality of life. Internationally, the collectivist cultures of indigenous and migrant and minority populations, living within dominant individualist western ideologies, have much greater burdens of obesity. If BBM members demonstrate sustained weight loss, this culturally informed community-based approach could benefit to other indigenous and migrant populations. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12621000931875 (BBM general members) First submitted 10 May 2021, registration completed 15 July 2021. ACTRN12621001676808 7 (From the Couch) First submitted 28 October 2021, registration completed 7 December 2021.

Process evaluation of in-person, news and social media engagement of a community-based programme Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM): a research protocol

“…We are currently conducting a longitudinal cohort study to measure the weight changes in BBM participants over time. 33 However, this current project aims to conduct a process evaluation of BBM’s community engagement over time through its in-person, social and news media outreach activities to investigate the changing nature of BBM’s response to the health and well-being needs of Pasifika and Māori people in their community.…”

Building Culturally Centered System Dynamics Logic Models for the Brown Buttabean Motivation Organization: Protocol for a Systems Science Approach

“…A qualitative study has been conducted to understand how participants experience and engage with BBM as a grassroots, Pacific-, and Māori-led holistic health program [ 2 ]. Most interventions to address obesity do not result in sustained weight loss over time, and a review of the literature recommended “Māori and Pacific-led, culturally tailored weight loss programs that promote holistic, small, and sustainable lifestyle changes delivered in socially appropriate contexts” [ 3 ]. A pre-post longitudinal quantitative cohort study is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of BBM for sustained health and well-being outcomes, especially weight loss [ 4 ].…”

Navigating Pacific nutrition and health at Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM): Process evaluation and systems dynamics research at a flax-roots organization

“…BBM's foundational mission was to reduce, among Māori and Pacific people, the prevalence of obesity in Auckland through exercise and nutrition programs. 1 This study aimed to understand participants' engagement with BBM, and the meaning it has had in their lives, with a focus on nutrition. Combining Pacific Fonofale and Te Whare Tapa Wha frameworks, this was a process evaluation to understand the impact of BBM's services on the community using qualitative methods and a systems analysis to identify program sustainability and improvement.…”