title: Nutrition in remote Aboriginal communities: lessons from Mai Wiru and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of efforts to improve nutrition on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands from 1986, especially in Mai Wiru (good food) stores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple methods were employed. Literature was searched systematically. In 2012, the store-turnover method quantified dietary intake of the five APY communities that have a Mai Wiru store. The price of a standard market basket of basic foods, implementation of store nutrition policy requirements and healthy food checklists were also assessed in all seven APY community stores at intervals from 2012. Results were compared with available data from 1986.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite concerted efforts and marked achievements, including decreased intake of sugar, increased availability and affordability of healthy foods (particularly fruit and vegetables) and consequent improvement in some nutrient intakes, the overall effect has been a decrease in total diet quality since 1986. This is characterised by increased supply and intake of discretionary foods high in saturated fat, added sugar and salt, particularly sugar sweetened beverages, convenience meals and take-away foods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The documented improvements confirm that residing in these communities can help Aboriginal residents exert control over key aspects of their food supply. However, the overall findings reflect broader changes to the general Australian food supply, and reinforce the notion that, in the absence of supportive regulation and market intervention, adequate and sustained resources are required to improve nutrition and prevent diet-related chronic disease on the APY Lands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study also provides insights into food supply/security issues affecting other remote communities and wider Australia.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.|School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Nganampa Health, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rainow
authors.affiliation: Kutjara Consultants, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tregenza
authors.affiliation: Anangu Arts, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tregenza
authors.affiliation: NPY Women's Council, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.affiliation: NPY Women's Council, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bryce
authors.affiliation: Umuwa, South Australia.
authors.forename: Milyika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paddy
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheard
authors.affiliation: Mai Wiru Regional Stores Council, Northern Territory.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schomburgk
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000208:ethnology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Aboriginal health; Indigenous; food supply; nutrition; preventive health