Nutrition is a major determinant of health, and promoting a healthy diet has the potential to substantially reduce the chance of disease and improve quality of life. The Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) identified nutrition and health as a priority project area, and were granted funding through the International Athletics Foundation (IAF).
OAA have partnered with Griffith University’s Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics Department to continue their research and tailor workshops to the needs of our regional areas.
OAA engaged Dr Amelia Afuha’amango Tuipulotu (of the Tonga Ministry of Health, and recently elected Rapporteur on the World Health Organisation’s Executive Board) and Robert Oliver (the Executive Director of the Pacific Island Food Revolution television program) to provide promotional ideas and discuss the workshops to ensure the IAF Project will be suitable and sustainable within the Oceania region.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the OAA office have continued to work with students from Griffith University’s Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics Department in preparing background information and educational seminar materials, which will allow us to roll the courses out via video conferencing over the second half of 2020 and then face-to-face in 2021.
A group of Oceania athletes have participated in the project on a weekly basis to research and tailor the workshops to the needs of our regional areas. They have completed body mass index (BMI) testing, attended education classes to learn about correct and safe fluid/food intake, and food preparation sessions.