title: Effective nutrition education for Aboriginal Australians: lessons from a diabetes cooking course.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences of Aboriginal Australians with or at risk of diabetes who attended urban community cooking courses in 2002-2007; and to develop recommendations for increasing the uptake and effectiveness of nutrition education in Aboriginal communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive qualitative approach using semistructured interviews with 23 Aboriginal course participants aged 19-72. Verbatim transcripts were coded using NVivo 7 software, and qualitative analysis was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Engagement and learning were increased by emphasizing the social aspects of the program, holding the course in a familiar Aboriginal community-controlled health setting and using small group learning with Aboriginal peers. Partnership with a vocational training institute provided teaching expertise, but there was conflict between vocational and health promotion objectives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutrition programs for Aboriginal Australians should be social, flexible, and held in accessible, culturally appropriate settings and focus on healthful cooking techniques using simple, affordable ingredients.
authors.affiliation: Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. pennyab@amsws.org.au
authors.forename: Penelope A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Joyce E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Louise F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Raechelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged