Nutritional concerns for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children

Nutritional concerns for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children

1. Family impact

   • parental nutrition and knowledge
     • school and education
   • role model influence
     • smoking and excessive alcohol use
       • violence within the home
   • maternal health
     • antenatal health
       • lack of service outreach of maternal and child health nurses
       • foetal alcohol syndrom
   • knowledge of hygiene practices including cleaning teeth
     • dental carries
       • limited access to dental services
         • cost
   • parental neglect
     • infections
       • ears, nose and throat
       • eye health
         • glaucoma
       • skin parasites
     • chronic disease
       • lack of understanding of long term affects

2. Environmental

   • Remote location
   • lack of transport
   • media and advertising influence
   • poor food quality
     • easy access to fast foods
       • obesity
         • chronic diseases
           • renal
           • diabetes
           • cardiac problems
           • high blood pressure
   • food insecurity
     • financial stress
       • drug and alcohol issues
   • cost of living
   • distance to healthcare
     • cost of medicines
       • up to date with immunisations
   • poor living conditions
     • theft/drugs
   • lack of services to provide education
     • nutrition programs within a community

3. Cultural/Social

   • different aspects of family choices and practices
   • different parenting styles
   • language barrier
     • cultural differences
   • excess weight - culturally appropriate
     • access to fast foods and high carb foods with poor or little nutritional value
       • Obesity
   • discriminating policies and practices
     • economic, social, political disadvantages
       • racism
       • unemployment
         • mental health
   • barriers that exist between Aboriginal people and Health care providers
     • perception of the health care provider
       • importance of identity for Aboriginal mums
       • lack of culturally relevant services such as Child Health Nurses
         • growth monitoring
           • failure to thrive
         • referrals to other specialty areas
     • low number of Aboriginal Health care workers