Aboriginal communities experiencing food inequity
The issue
Currently, indigenous Australian’s are fund to have the poorest health statistics of any Australian group. This is found to be linked with the destruction of their culture and traditional lifestyle. Their social inequity is a cause of their frequent experiences of social isolation and financial disadvantage in their communities. Their traditional lifestyle of regular physical activity combined with hunting and gathering produced a good life-expectancy as they consumed a variety of plant and animal foods including lean meat, fish, low salt, little added sugar and alcohol. This negative influence on aboriginals has led to their adoption of the western diet and consequent loss of traditional foods and cooking methods which has contributed to continuous deterioration of health. The adoption of this diet had led to common nutrition-related diseases in the community including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and dental cavities.
Currently, indigenous Australian’s are fund to have the poorest health statistics of any Australian group. This is found to be linked with the destruction of their culture and traditional lifestyle. Their social inequity is a cause of their frequent experiences of social isolation and financial disadvantage in their communities. Their traditional lifestyle of regular physical activity combined with hunting and gathering produced a good life-expectancy as they consumed a variety of plant and animal foods including lean meat, fish, low salt, little added sugar and alcohol. This negative influence on aboriginals has led to their adoption of the western diet and consequent loss of traditional foods and cooking methods which has contributed to continuous deterioration of health. The adoption of this diet had led to common nutrition-related diseases in the community including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and dental cavities.
The factors increasing food inequity amongst the community
Indigenous populations are vulnerable
to food insecurity due to poor income, household infrastructure and
overcrowding, access to transport, storage and cooking facilities. Resources such
as working stoves or ovens may be limited in remote communities. A survey of about
4,000 Indigenous homes in the Northern Territory found that only 38% had
facilities such as stoves, ovens, running water and adequate storage for food.
This encourages a reliance on readymade foods that are often nutritionally poor.
In 2004-2005, 24% of Indigenous Australians (15+) reported they ran out of food
in the last 12 months, compared to 5% of non-Indigenous Australians. It was
found that this was increased for Indigenous Australians by their remote location,
however the figure wasn’t low for urban communities. This test didn’t include the most vulnerable
residents (for example homeless people). Barriers to healthy eating include; high
food costs, poor access to healthy foods and instead convenience/take-away
foods, budgeting issues, overcrowding, and poor knowledge and skills. These led
the aboriginal community to food insecurity and numerous health-related
disorders.
Other factors
Lack of nutritional knowledge of
health food choices, hygiene, sanitation, clean water practises, budgeting and
emergency relief easily results in food inequity. Alcohol, drug use, smoking
and gambling can take priority over purchasing food therefore reducing the
available income spent on food and resources for access to food (land for
farming, car etc). These activities can also impact the children’s sense of
prioritising health needs and their education of health food choices. As they
grow up in this environment they are likely to act the same way and therefore bring
up their children in the continued manner. A busy lifestyle, large households
and mixed preferences in the house can also act as barriers to food equity as
they influence changing eating habits. IN contrast to easily accessible fast
foods, lack of transport to food outlets, and/or the impact of town planning
upon the accessibility of nutritious food can negatively influence food security.
Some factors may prevent budgeting and therefore access to adequate nutrition
such as temporary lifestyles, cultural and family commitments. Additionally, issues
of history, cultural identity and discrimination can negatively impact nutrition
and food access in urban and rural communities. These also form barriers to access
of mainstream health care services. Racism and discrimination of culture can
cause 'social exclusion' which clearly impacts upon physical health and
longevity.
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Major factors
Low income
In 2003, across Australia, the average equivalent household income of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was only 59% of the corresponding income of non-Indigenous people. This financial stress was also indicated in 2004-05 when it was determined that about 49% of all Indigenous persons (15+) reported they were living in households with difficultly raising $2,000 within a week in a time of crisis. Evidence of the inconsistency between prices of healthy foods compared to unhealthy food reveal the harsh impact of low income on food inequity and poor health. “Across Queensland annual surveys of food cost are undertaken using the Healthy Food Access Basket (HFAB) which includes standard commonly available foods selected to provide 70% of nutritional requirements and 95% of estimated energy requirement of a reference family of six people over a 2 week period”. Research found that the cost for basic healthy foods continues to become more expensive as less nutritious alternatives dramatically drop (for example some fast food burgers cost under $3). Another study estimated that a typical family must spend 40% of their welfare income in order to consume a nutritionally adequate diet which substantially varies from the 17% of income on which the average Australian spends on food. These studies all demonstrate the impact and barrier of ever-increasing costs of healthy food on Indigenous people to achieve good health. Household infrastructure and overcrowding Rural indigenous families are restricted by the barriers of poor income, poor household infrastructure and overcrowding. In 2004-05 (NSW, Vic, Tas, and ACT) 9-10% of Indigenous Australians were living in overcrowded houses. This influenced the adequacy of kitchen storage facilities for the many house residents. Additionally, kitchen appliances were being used for at least 10 people rather than the recommended 4-6 people. A consultation undertaken in rural Victoria explained, "...diet and education is crucial but how do you address overcrowding? People don't want to cook if there's too many people. It's physically impossible". This over-crowding commonly caused poor hygiene and sanitation which reduced the family’s ability to work for income and shop for the best quality but affordable food. |
Effects of food inequity for aboriginals
This food insecurity causes short
term effects such as constant hunger, anxiety related to food shortage and a
lack of energy. Aboriginals also experience feelings of exclusion, social
disruption to family life and sometimes anxiety about the possibility of loss
of custody (due to inability to provide a nourishing diet for children) as psychological
effects of food inequity.
Long term effects of this inequity can include; becoming overweight or obese, (particularly in women). This occurs because foods of poorer quality (containing high fat, salt and/or sugar) are the most affordable options compared to lean meats, whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits(very expensive).
Young children are particularly vulnerable to these effects due to the impact on their growth, physical and socio-emotional development and learning potential. Early childhood life is commonly recognised to be a significant stage determining health as well as during pregnancy as it influences the development of chronic diseases and the risk of low birth weight.
Long term effects of this inequity can include; becoming overweight or obese, (particularly in women). This occurs because foods of poorer quality (containing high fat, salt and/or sugar) are the most affordable options compared to lean meats, whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits(very expensive).
Young children are particularly vulnerable to these effects due to the impact on their growth, physical and socio-emotional development and learning potential. Early childhood life is commonly recognised to be a significant stage determining health as well as during pregnancy as it influences the development of chronic diseases and the risk of low birth weight.