Megan Ferguson1,2, Clare Brown1,2, Claire Georga1, Edward Miles3, Alyce Wilson4, Julie Brimblecombe1. 1. Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Diseases, Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory. 2. School of Population Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia. 3. Indigenous Community Volunteers, Queensland. 4. St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore availability, variety and frequency consumption of traditional foods and their role in alleviating food insecurity in remote Aboriginal Australia. METHODS: Availability was assessed through repeated semi-structured interviews and consumption via a survey. Quantitative data were described and qualitative data classified. RESULTS: Aboriginal and non-Indigenous key informants (n=30 in 2013; n=19 in 2014) from 20 Northern Territory (NT) communities participated in interviews. Aboriginal primary household shoppers (n=73 in 2014) in five of these communities participated in a survey. Traditional foods were reported to be available year-round in all 20 communities. Most participants (89%) reported consuming a variety of traditional foods at least fortnightly and 71% at least weekly. Seventy-six per cent reported being food insecure, with 40% obtaining traditional food during these times. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional food is consumed frequently by Aboriginal people living in remote NT. Implications for public health: Quantifying dietary contribution of traditional food would complement estimated population dietary intake. It would contribute evidence of nutrition transition and differences in intakes across age groups and inform dietary, environmental and social interventions and policy. Designing and conducting assessment of traditional food intake in conjunction with Aboriginal leaders warrants consideration.
OBJECTIVE: To explore availability, variety and frequency consumption of traditional foods and their role in alleviating food insecurity in remote Aboriginal Australia. METHODS: Availability was assessed through repeated semi-structured interviews and consumption via a survey. Quantitative data were described and qualitative data classified. RESULTS: Aboriginal and non-Indigenous key informants (n=30 in 2013; n=19 in 2014) from 20 Northern Territory (NT) communities participated in interviews. Aboriginal primary household shoppers (n=73 in 2014) in five of these communities participated in a survey. Traditional foods were reported to be available year-round in all 20 communities. Most participants (89%) reported consuming a variety of traditional foods at least fortnightly and 71% at least weekly. Seventy-six per cent reported being food insecure, with 40% obtaining traditional food during these times. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional food is consumed frequently by Aboriginal people living in remote NT. Implications for public health: Quantifying dietary contribution of traditional food would complement estimated population dietary intake. It would contribute evidence of nutrition transition and differences in intakes across age groups and inform dietary, environmental and social interventions and policy. Designing and conducting assessment of traditional food intake in conjunction with Aboriginal leaders warrants consideration.
Authors: Anne Magnus; Linda Cobiac; Julie Brimblecombe; Mark Chatfield; Anthony Gunther; Megan Ferguson; Marj Moodie Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-09-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Julia McCartan; Emma van Burgel; Isobelle McArthur; Sharni Testa; Elisabeth Thurn; Sarah Funston; Angel Kho; Emma McMahon; Julie Brimblecombe Journal: Curr Dev Nutr Date: 2020-11-24
Authors: Tiff-Annie Kenny; Matthew Little; Tad Lemieux; P Joshua Griffin; Sonia D Wesche; Yoshitaka Ota; Malek Batal; Hing Man Chan; Melanie Lemire Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-27 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Matthew J L Hare; Federica Barzi; Jacqueline A Boyle; Steven Guthridge; Roland F Dyck; Elizabeth L M Barr; Gurmeet Singh; Henrik Falhammar; Vanya Webster; Jonathan E Shaw; Louise J Maple-Brown Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2020-07-24