Nutritional concerns for ATSI children

Nutritional concerns for ATSI children

1. High incidence of dental caries

   • Little or no access to dental services
     • Poor dental services available in rural and remote areas
     • Level of education for parents about importance of dental hygiene
     • Cost of dental service
   • Poor availability of toothbrushes/paste
   • Nighttime bottle use/drinks other than milk/water

2. High rate of underweight children especially in remote areas

   • Poor access to food
     • Parental neglect issues
       • Drug and alcohol issues
       • Parental education
     • High cost of food in rural and remote areas
     • Financial stress in families
   • Poor quality housing
     • Overcrowding/highly mobile families

3. Increased rates of obesity

   • Increased consumption of energy dense, nutritionally poor food and drinks
     • Poor access to fresh food
       • Time and cost of delivery of fresh food to rural and remote areas
       • Cost of food often sold in small rural stores
     • Reduced use of bush foods
       • Availability of bush foods
         • Impact of agriculture and mining on and around Aboriginal lands
       • Decreasing elder participation and influence
     • Parental education and awareness

4. Poor access to health care in rural and remote areas

   • Poor quality healthcare/high turn over of staff/poor access to specialist care
     • Healthcare worker knowledge of specific cultural requirements
       • Low numbers of ATSI healthcare workers
       • Parental mistrust of healthcare workers and system
   • Poor general health quality
     • High rates of middle ear and ENT infections
     • Inadequate vaccination delivery
     • ow rate of exclusive breastfeeding/early introduction of formula and cows milk
   • Distance to access healthcare

5. Below recommended consumption of fruit and vegetables, Calcium, Iron and fibre

   • Inadequate access to fresh food
     • Cost of food, cost of food transportation to rural and remote areas
     • Food insecurity
     • Financial stress within families
   • Parental knowledge and awareness