Korero te kai o te Rangatira: Nutritional wellbeing of Māori at the pinnacle of life

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To provide a succinct overview of the historical food eating patterns of Māori, the indigenous population of New Zealand, by examining the dietary practices of older Māori, and the significance of these practices for their health and wellbeing. Method: A historical review of food sources that provided pre‐colonisation eating patterns of Māori was developed. Full engagement of older Māori was sought in the design and implementation of a longitudinal study of ageing ‘Life and Living to Advanced Age: A Cohort study in New Zealand’, (LILACS NZ) referred to in the present review. A cross‐sectional pilot study, which included older Māori aged 75 to 79 years, provided detail of traditional foods currently utilised in Northland and the Bay of Plenty regions. For the main study, local Māori providers conducted the research processes and the longitudinal cohort study (LILACS NZ) was implemented. Nutritional assessment included nutrition screening at baseline and detailed assessment using the repeated multiple pass, 24‐hour recall method for each participant in a 12‐month follow up. Results: A wide range of foods were utilised prior to European contact. Similar traditional food was used in Northland and Bay of Plenty regions and these traditional foods were found to be valued and frequently used by older Māori. Those able to access important traditional foods on a regular basis had a significantly better nutrition status. Those who had less regard for the importance of traditional foods to practise their culture tended to be at higher nutrition risk. Screening identified over half of older Māori to be at high nutrition risk. Most participants viewed traditional foods to be very important and were able to eat these on a regular basis. Conclusion: Research shows the impact of colonisation resulted in displacement of traditional foods from the diets of older Māori and this has been accompanied by higher nutrition risk. Food is an important cultural activity for Māori and Māori elders need to be supported to increase their consumption of traditional foods. Further investigations will examine the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of older Māori in relation to health and wellbeing.

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