SOCIETY for NUTRITION ED 39th Annual Conference

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SOCIETY for NUTRITION ED39th Annual Conference

• San Francisco, California
• July 16, 2006

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Indigenous Knowledge Super Size Servings of
FoodUnderstanding its Expectation and
Demonstration of Respect in Polynesia

• Saleia Afele-Faamuli, Ph.D., M.P.H.National
  Program Leader Multicultural Alliances, Science
  Education Resources Development
• CSREES/USDA

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South Sea Islands or Oceania
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Population

• Polynesians or Pacific Islanders who are U.S.
  Residents
• Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
• 935,600 (Commerce Depts Census Bureau 2001)
• 0.3 of the total population

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Annual Median Income

• 52,018 (API) vs. 42,409 for all households in
  U.S.
• 80 households maintained by married couples 42
  of these households had incomes of 75,000 or more

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Family Size

• Relatively large
• 23 of API married couples families have 5
  members
• 53 are homeowners

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Poverty Rate

• Remains at an all-time low, 10.2,
• for Asians and Pacific Islanders

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Education

• 44 of API age 25 had a bachelors degree or
  higher
• 86 had at least a HS diploma in 2000

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POLYNESIA includes

• Tahiti New Zealand
• Tokelau Fiji
• Marquesas Tonga
• Tuamotu Islands Cook Islands
• Easter Island American Samoa
• Niue Samoa
• Tuvalu, Hawaii
• Wallis Society Is.
• Futuna Pitcairn Is.

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Where are the Islanders in U.S.?

• Hawaii 283,000
• California 221,000
• Missouri 31,000
• Utah 100, 000
• Alaska 10,000
• Washington State 10,000
• Total 935,600 (Commerce Depts Census Bureau 2001)

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• Any Time Favorites
• Soy Sauce
• Salt
• CARBS
• Rice
• Taro/Banana
• Breads
• Potato Chips
• Soda Pops
• High Sugar

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• Obesity
• Socially Acceptable
• Awareness of Health Risk
• Disrespect to trim servings
• Must take home

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• Respect
• Large Servings
• Whole-some
• Take Home

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• Meats
• Corned Beef
• Lamb Flaps
• Mutton
• Turkey Tails
• Chicken
• Fish

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• Seasoning
• Coconut Milk
• Salt
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Pepper

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• CARBS
• Breadfruit
• Banana
• Taro
• Yam

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Island Spinach

• Palusami

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• Cultural Traditions
• Occasional
• Activities
• Ceremonies
• ..History

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• Minimal Physical Activity
• Dependence
• on
• imported
• food
• products

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• CHIEFS

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Lessons Learned for Health/Nutrition Educators
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To maximize effectiveness of educational
programming

• Prior understanding of Polynesian culture and
  Island food culture
• Hands-on learning in small groups is preferred
  vs. printed materials
• Perpetuate consumption of wholesome foods
• Fish other seafood
• Lean meat
• Drink lots of spring water
• Food substitutions accepted once educator-learner
  relationship is established

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Island Favorite Selections

• Fruit
• Mango
• Papaya
• Passion fruit
• Guava
• Young coconut
• Coconut juice/milk
• Watermelon
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Mountain apple

• Vegetable
• Taro
• Taro leaves
• Banana/plantain
• Pumpkin
• Breadfruit
• Sweet potato/leaves
• Hibiscus manihot
• Squash
• Okra

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Polynesians in U.S. Continue to Perpetuate Oral
Culture through

• Story-telling, family, genealogy
• Traditional dance music
• Display of Island crafts
• Sunday best food and wear other special
  occasions
• Feasts, roast pig, lots of food at gatherings

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Questions and Commentssfaamuli_at_csrees.usda.gov
202-720-0384