title: An ethnographic action research study to investigate the experiences of Bindjareb women participating in the cooking and nutrition component of an Aboriginal health promotion programme in regional Western Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the experiences of women participating in a cooking and nutrition component of a health promotion research initiative in an Australian Aboriginal regional community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weekly facilitated cooking and nutrition classes were conducted during school terms over 12 months. An ethnographic action research study was conducted for the programme duration with data gathered by participant and direct observation, four yarning groups and six individual yarning sessions. The aim was to determine the ways the cooking and nutrition component facilitated lifestyle change, enabled engagement, encouraged community ownership and influenced community action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regional Bindjareb community in the Nyungar nation of Western Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of seventeen Aboriginal women aged between 18 and 60 years from the two kinships in two towns in one shire took part in the study. The recruitment and consent process was managed by community Elders and leaders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major themes emerged highlighting the development of participants and their recognition of the need for change: the impact of history on current nutritional health of Indigenous Australians; acknowledging shame; challenges of change around nutrition and healthy eating; the undermining effect of mistrust and limited resources; the importance of community control when developing health promotion programmes; finding life purpose through learning; and the need for planning and partnerships to achieve community determination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suggested principles for developing cooking and nutrition interventions are: consideration of community needs; understanding the impact of historical factors on health; understanding family and community tensions; and the engagement of long-term partnerships to develop community determination.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Health Professions,Murdoch University,Peel Campus,Education Drive,PO Box 1937,Mandurah,Western Australia 6210,Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nilson
authors.affiliation: 2Murray District Aboriginal Association,Pinjarra,Western Australia,Australia.
authors.forename: Karrie-Anne
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kearing-Salmon
authors.affiliation: 1School of Health Professions,Murdoch University,Peel Campus,Education Drive,PO Box 1937,Mandurah,Western Australia 6210,Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: 1School of Health Professions,Murdoch University,Peel Campus,Education Drive,PO Box 1937,Mandurah,Western Australia 6210,Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fetherston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D003296:Cooking; D065246:Culturally Competent Care; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012922:Social Change; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Australian Aboriginal community health promotion; Australian Aboriginal nutritional health; Cooking skills; Nutrition knowledge