Ngātiwai Whakapakari Tinana: strengthening bodies through a Kaupapa Māori fitness and exercise programme

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Activity based weight loss programmes may result in modest reductions in weight. Despite the small successes demonstrated by these interventions, there are few examples that specifically address the disparity of obesity for Māori compared to non-Māori. AIM This research highlights the results of a Kaupapa Māori fitness and exercise programme that aimed to assist mainly Māori adults, to lose weight. The programme was designed to support participants by using Māori cultural values. METHODS A Muay Thai kickboxing exercise programme was developed with community involvement. Kaupapa Māori principles underpinned the programme, such as whanaungatanga and tino rangatiratanga. Ninety-three participants were followed for at least 3 months. Participants' blood pressure, weight, body mass index, mental wellbeing scores, and waist and hip circumferences were collected at regular intervals. Multiple linear models were used to calculate estimated changes per 100 days of the programme. RESULTS The mean duration of participation was 214 days. The estimated weight loss per participant per 100 days was 5.2 kg. Statistically significant improvements were noted in blood pressure, waist and hip circumference, systolic blood pressure and mental wellbeing. DISCUSSION The improvements in physical and mental wellbeing are thought to have stemmed, in part, from the use of Kaupapa Māori principles. The success of this programme strengthens the argument that programmes aiming to address the precursors of chronic disease need to be designed for Māori by Māori in order to reduce health inequities.

Adult obesity management in New Zealand general practice: a review

“…From these, 11 were identified for inclusion in this review (Table 1). [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] The PRISMA flowchart in Figure 1 39 shows the selection process. Table 1 summarises the characteristics of the included studies.…”

“…Nine interventions produced statistically significant weight loss within their intervention timeframes. Two studies included a change in diet only, 32,36 one used diet changes and social support, 31 one used diet and exercise changes, 35 one used exercise and behavioural changes, 28 three Māori approaches used exercise 34,37,38 and one included a Māori approach with behavioural changes, food education and exercise. 29 Interventions that included more than one weight management component (food, exercise, behavioural changes and culturally appropriate changes) all produced statistically significant weight loss results.…”

Māori perspectives on alcohol

“…These results provide novel insights into potential approaches that could yield effective interventions for reducing alcohol-related harm that are culturally responsive for Māori. The importance of whanaungatanga is essential when identifying potential strategies to reduce alcoholrelated harm (Eggleton et al, 2018;Lyford & Cook, 2005;Slater et al, 2013). New interventions could focus on creating environments that enhance whanaungatanga and connection without the presence of alcohol, particularly for youth and older Māori, as has been previously recommended (Herbert et al, 2018a).…”

Addressing Structural Racism Through Constitutional Transformation and Decolonization: Insights for the New Zealand Health Sector

“…Māori providers would flourish in a tino rangatiratanga sphere, offering Māori diverse strategies for health promotion as well as a choice of cultural and clinically safe health providers. Services would be agile enough to respond to diverse and complex Māori realities as decolonization progressed (Eggleton, Stewart, and Kask 2018;Herd 2006). Holistic health policy development, implementation, evaluation, contracting, monitoring, and relationship management would all reflect tikanga Māori and the values of Matike Mai.…”