About this chapter

This chapter will give you a broader understanding of food and nutrition issues in remote Northern Territory.

The nutritional problems of Aboriginal people contribute to low birthweight, failure to thrive and increased likelihood of infections in early childhood. Nutritional problems also contribute to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular and renal disease later in adult life (Kuh & Ben-Schlomo 1997).

A good diet is essential for good health. For people to be able to choose a good diet, they need to have access to nutritious food and knowledge about good food choices. For all these reasons, Territory Health Services (THS) is committed to:

• promoting access to enough healthy food for Aboriginal people in remote areas
• promoting skills and knowledge to enable Aboriginal people to make healthy food choices
• reducing the amount of illness which is either caused or made worse by poor diet

Section 1:

• contains background information on the nutritional status of Aboriginal people in remote areas
• discusses food and dietary issues
• outlines current THS strategies to improve the supply and distribution of food to remote areas

Section 2:

• provides information on a range of activities and strategies to be used when working with individuals, groups and the community to address local food and nutrition issues