Helping Indigenous people in regional cities to attain healthy lifestyles

A first-of-its-type study calls on planners of physical activity programs to consider the role of family connections in influencing participation by Indigenous people in regional cities.

The CQUniversity-led study recognises that physical activity is a key way of addressing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.

Senior author Dr Amanda Rebar says that, compared to Indigenous participants in the study, non-Indigenous participants were more focused on self-improving activities, such as running, weight lifting and personal training.

Dr Rebar explains “in Indigenous communities, performing physical activity exclusively for the benefit of the individual is likely to be considered as egocentric and shameful behaviour.

“In contrast, physical activity performed for the benefit of the family and whole community is highly valued.

“Participation in team or individual sports that encourage social connections is positively supported among Indigenous peoples.

“Therefore, health promotion efforts should prioritise physical interventions that are in line with this perspective, where taking care of family relationships is of higher importance than the physical health of any one individual.”

The CQUniversity-led study was the first to compare the perspective of Indigenous Australians to a matched group of non-Indigenous Australians.

While focused on family and social connections, the study also discusses barriers to physical activity including financial limiations, time constraints due to family engagements and environmental restraints (such as access to safe places for activity).

Dr Rebar’s co-authors include former CQUni visiting scholar Claudie Péloquin (from Victoria University of Wellington), CQUni graduate Dr Tomas Doering, and CQUni Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Stephanie Alley.

Image: The NAIDOC Netball Carnival in Western Australia. Courtesy of Netball WA

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