Evaluating a healthy eating, healthy action program in small Mãori communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Publisher: Australian Journal of Public Health, Australian Institute for Primary Care, La Trobe University Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 101123037 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1448-7527 (Print) Linking ISSN: 14487527 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Aust J Prim Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Bundoora, Vic. : Australian Journal of Public Health, Australian Institute for Primary Care, La Trobe University, c2001-

Diet* ; Health Promotion* ; Motor Activity*; Obesity/*prevention & control; Cultural Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ; New Zealand/epidemiology ; Obesity/epidemiology ; Obesity/ethnology ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Population

Evidence from health surveys have identified that Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, experience a high incidence of obesity with physical and social implications. In 2000, the New Zealand Government introduced a strategy aimed, among other objectives, at improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and reducing obesity through a 'Healthy Eating Health Action' (HEHA) strategy. As part of the HEHA strategy, a Māori primary health organisation (PHO) in a regional centre of Aotearoa, New Zealand, developed a program aimed at improving the health of the local Māori communities. The program, called Project REPLACE, invited participants to gradually change their behaviour by replacing behaviours potentially detrimental to health with a healthier alternative. Between 2009 and 2010 a team of researchers evaluated the program, taking care to use Māori approaches when conducting the research. The findings from the evaluation were that each community was innovative in their approaches to implementing Project REPLACE, drawing on their culture to combine healthy eating with increased exercise activities as well as measurements of achievement. The relationship that each coordinator had with the community was pivotal to the success of the program. Project REPLACE highlighted the importance of Māori ownership and control of health initiatives.

Date Created: 20120907 Date Completed: 20130712 Latest Revision: 20211203

20231215

10.1071/PY11096

22950828