Role Models WA | Phone: (08) 9458 7780 | Fax: (08) 9458 7780 | info@rolemodelswa.com
Building Better
Communities
Building Better
Futures
FOOD AND NUTRITION
A healthy eating pattern and adequate healthy activity are fundamental to the maintenance of good health and well being. The World Health Organistion (WHO) has noted that chronic diseases are the major cause of death and disability worldwide, and are reflected disproportionately to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes and heart disease costing the health system more than $6 billion per annum (WHO Global Report, Geneva, 2005).
With obesity and health costs on the rise the time to take action is now for the sake of our children. With the assistance of Foodbank WA (hyperlink to their site) both Academies have implemented the School Breakfast Program on campus. In addition to the breakfast program, fresh fruit and vegetables and other food and drinks are provided in the Academy’s own kitchen for those students who miss breakfast, forget to pack their lunch or have no money for food.
Healthy Lifestyles
“In social policy...the two priorities will be child protection... and the other one will be again working with the Commonwealth, working with local communities to improve the state of indigenous people in Western Australia. And we are talking basically about third world health and education standards, in a first world prosperous Western Australia. We all know it's unacceptable and I assure you there is a determination to do a lot, lot more in that area.”
Premier Barnett, Speech to State Council of the Liberal Party, 21 November, 2008
Studies clearly indicate that young, at risk, Indigenous people are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged group in Western Australia. This group is disproportionately represented in statistics measuring poor health, nutrition, teenage pregnancies, domestic violence and substance abuse and with figures doubled if they happen to live in remote and regional areas.
Role Models WA aims to address the growing inequity in the provision of healthy messages to Indigenous communities by delivering sporting and healthy lifestyle programs in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Western Australia.
Aboriginal people are more likely to have problems with their health than non-indigenous Australians. Many Aboriginal people, especially those living in remote communities, do not have adequate housing, reliable supplies of water and electricity or adequate sewage and drainage systems – all of which are essential for good health
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003), The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The major health problems among Aboriginal people are diabetes, heart disease, respiratory infections and nutritional disorders. Underlying the diseases that affect Aboriginal people are poor nutrition, alcohol and substance abuse, substandard living conditions, high levels of psycho-social stress, and a lack of access to appropriate health services. At a deeper level, the causes of these problems are poverty – including low incomes, unemployment, limited education, discrimination, unresolved trauma and a lack of empowerment (Source: The Western Australian Joint Planning Forum (2000) Western Australian Aboriginal Health Strategy – a strategic approach to improving the health of Aborignals)
Physical exertion coupled with esteem building and teamwork has been proven to be effective models for success in young adults. The Role Models WA program requires physical agility and teamwork, perserverance, hard work and a commitment which are the building blocks for successful outcomes.
