Stepping up the fight against Pacific obesity

Media Release
16 June, 2009

Stepping up the fight against Pacific obesity
500 now trained in pacific nutrition...

Twenty two Auckland students are preparing to help Auckland’s Pacific community combat the rising prevalence of obesity and overweight.

The group graduates tomorrow (June 17) and will step out into the community armed with the AUT University-accredited 'Certificate in Pacific Nutrition'.

Further boosting their ‘mission’ is the fact they will do so with the blessing of the Ministry of Health and the Heart Foundation's Pacific Heartbeat team.

Both organisations work together to drive the programme which has now helped over 500 people specialise in Pacific nutrition since it was launched in 2002 in an effort to help change habits within Pacific communities throughout New Zealand.

Pacific peoples are increasingly at high-risk of developing heart attack, stroke and blood vessel diseases. Reducing obesity and lowering cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of these cardiovascular diseases and that is exactly what the students plan to do by imparting their new found knowledge.

Having just completed the long-running nutrition course aimed at reducing the high levels of obesity and diabetes in Pacific communities, they now plan to use their expertise in educating their people.

The graduates comprise of 14 health providers, three early childhood centre specialists, two who are active in primary schools and three church and community workers/leaders.

PHB registered nutritionist, Maria Teresa Cassidy, says the course addresses the high fat content in Pacific diets and teaches students techniques to reduce saturated fats and control portion sizes.

She says the course also gives students skills and confidence essential in delivering basic nutrition information and advice into their communities.

“These are critical learnings if our people are to take charge of their lives and live healthier and longer. Too many Pacific peoples are dying young and many of these deaths are associated with overweight and obesity levels,” says Mrs Cassidy.

"Our students are really passionate about reducing the incidence of diet-related health problems in Pacific peoples. That is why they take this knowledge and work with the communities closest to them – with the people who need the help the most.

"This course is designed to arm these students with practical and relevant information that will help turn statistics around,” she says.

The course is a hands-on learning experience which provides scientifically-based, relevant and practical nutrition information.

Participants learn how to reduce saturated fat and control the portion sizes of less healthy ingredients by modifying the traditional Pacific diet, while retaining all the goodness by promoting healthy aspects of the Pacific diet - like the use of vitamin-rich tropical fruits.

Mrs Cassidy says the course is providing an essential stepping stone for students to further their nutrition education.

"Until we get them in that first class, so many students don’t realise the struggle our Pacific people have with heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The information we give them can be life changing and life saving and we can’t ask for more than that.”

Background

The Pacific Heartbeat's Certificate in Pacific Nutrition Course is funded through the Ministry of Health with certificates awarded by the Auckland University of Technology. The Pacific Heartbeat Programme is a community health promotion initiative of the Heart Foundation established in 1991, with the primary objective to make a difference to the health of Pacific peoples.

ENDS

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