Enhancing food security and physical activity for Māori, Pacific and low income whānau/families research

About us

This research aimed to clarify the interaction and contribution of environmental factors to food security and physical activity for Maori, Pacific and low-income whanau/families and to identify how these factors might be modified to improve food security and physcial activity.

Methods

1. A systematic literature review will be undertaken and will be supplemented by an analysis of relevant ongoing New Zealand research;
2. Focus groups will be conducted with urban and rural Māori, Pacific and low income New Zealanders
3. The ANGELO framework will be used to identify and prioritise key environmental factors;
4. Individual interviews will be conducted with 2,500 participants from the 2008 Adult National Nutrition
   Survey;
5. Key informant interviews will be conducted with representatives of Māori, Pacific and low income communities;
6. Findings from all sources will be triangulated to identify factors with most influence on food security and physical activity and how they could be targeted for intervention.

Outcomes

This research will provide essential information on the association of key environmental factors with food security and physical activity amongst Māori, Pacific and low-income whanau/familites in New Zealand.

Funder

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC)

Publications

Bowers S, Carter K, Gorton D, Heta C, Lanumata T, Maddison R, McKerchar C, Ni Mhurchu C, O'Dea D, Pearce J, Signal L, Walton M (Editors). Enhancing food security and physical activity for Maori, Pacific and low-income peoples. August 2009. Wellington: Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland; GeoHealth Laboratory, University of Canterbury; Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit, University of Otago; Te Hotu Manawa Māori.

Lanumata T, Heta C, Signal L, Haretuku R, and Corrigan C. 2008. Enhancing food security and physical activity: the views of Maori, Pacific and low-income peoples. Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit, University of Otago, Wellington; Te Hotu Manawa M?ori; and Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika.

Walton M, Signal L. 2008. An analysis of interactions between factors associated with food security and physical activity: working paper for the ENHANCE Research Project. Health Promotion & Policy Research Unit, University of Otago, Wellington

Gorton D, Maddison R, Ni Mhurchu C. 2008. Enhancing food security and physical activity for Maori,Pacific and low-income families/whanau – an evidence summary: Prepared for the Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council. Clinical Trials Research Unit, The University of Auckland, Auckland.

Our people

University of Otago

• Louise Signal
• Ausaga Faa'salele Tanuvasa
• Tony Blakely
• Kristie Carter

Other organisations

• Craig Heta, Te Hotu Manawa Māori
• Cliona Ni Mhurchu (Principle Investigator), University of Auckland
• Ralph Maddison, Clinical Trials Unit, University of Auckland