Nutritional diversity and community perceptions of health and importance of foods in Kiribati: a case study

John Paul Cauchi (), Hilary Bambrick, Stefano Moncada and Ignacio Correa-Velez
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John Paul Cauchi: Queensland University of Technology
Hilary Bambrick: Queensland University of Technology
Stefano Moncada: University of Malta
Ignacio Correa-Velez: Queensland University of Technology

Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, 2021, vol. 13, issue 2, No 8, 367 pages

Abstract: Abstract Over the twentieth century, small island states in the Pacific experienced a dietary shift from traditional foods characteristic of the region to imported foods of poor nutritional quality. In Kiribati, noncommunicable diseases including diabetes and hypertension are now the largest burden of disease in the country and the primary cause of premature mortality. Food and nutritional security in Kiribati are now a major public health challenge. Climate change is likely to negatively affect traditional food production systems. In this study, twelve gender-segregated focus groups in six communities were carried out across Kiribati. Food charts were obtained from each focus group, where all food items mentioned by communities were listed and scored for health and importance. These were analysed using Excel and Stata. Health scores were on average 42.4% lower for imported food compared to local food with strongly significant findings at a p value of

Keywords: Food security; Nutritional security; Noncommunicable diseases; Kiribati; Pacific; Small island states (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01128-6

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