3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perceptions of the risks associated with Chronic Disease: ‘On being big’

Project Staff

Dr Bronwyn Fredericks

Project Outline

There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. In Queensland, only a third of Indigenous people included in the 1994 NATSIS are of healthy weight compared to their height. Almost 40% of males are overweight and a further 26% obese, while for females the figures are 26 % overweight and 31% obese[1]. Overweight and obesity contribute to the preventable excess mortality and morbidity suffered by Queensland’s Indigenous population[2] . Excess mortality rates for Queensland Indigenous people in early middle age are estimated to be more than 5 times greater than the rest of the population, with major causes of excess mortality being heart disease and diabetes. Being overweight is a significant risk factor in the development of these diseases[3]. 

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2000-2010 identifies the prevention and management of an unhealthy weight and promoting healthy lifestyles as key priorities under the action area of family focused nutrition promotion, resourcing programs, disseminating and communicating ‘good practice’. There are numerous studies being undertaken with Australians and within Queensland. Few studies have included cohorts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Instead Indigenous people have been included via self-identification with being overweight or obese or via randomised selection. This project will seek to understand the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are overweight and obese – big - and discuss options for management and prevention strategies. This will be done via in-depth semi-structured interviews with overweight and obese Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the presentation of case studies.