An Empowering Healthy Weight Program for Rural First Nations Adolescents

Unhealthy weight disproportionality impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, diminishing quality of life and reducing health outcomes. This places additional burden on Indigenous children, families, communities and society. To date, all Australian childhood healthy weight programs are driven by behaviour change theory, which insufficiently addresses empowerment and control - key determinates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This project proposes the development of a new childhood healthy weight program that will empower rural First Nations adolescents to create meaningful, sustainable change within their lifestyle and community. Based on the principles of the Aboriginal-developed Family Wellbeing Empowerment Program, this project will be conducted in partnership with Goondir Health Services, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families of South West Queensland. 

There is no specific funding for this project. However, Renae Earle is supported by a Higher Degree by Research UQ Graduate School Scholarship.