Empowering Indigenous communities to improve their health through nutrition: Introduction of a low sugar carbonated beverage
Abstract
Indigenous communities face significant health risks from high softdrink consumption, including chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease. The transition away from traditional bush food diets has contributed to a scarcity of fresh and nutritious food in communities, with highly processed energy-dense products such as softdrinks being readily and excessively available. Previous attempts to improve Indigenous health through either improving water quality, removing favourite softdrinks from convenience store shelves, educating communities, or applying price discounts to healthier beverages have all yielded marginal success. Therefore, we are adopting a unique approach to help bridge the health gap: co-creating a healthier beverage using local bush foods.
Jessica Cartwright
Jessica is a PhD candidate at the UQ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences working with the ARC Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods. She has completed her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science, and also holds a Masters degree of Dietetics Studies. She has received academic awards for every semester of her studies, holds a UQ employability award, and was awarded the Dietitians Australia highly commended student prize. Outside of University, Jessica works as a dietitian at a medical practice, and as a nutrition assistant at a hospital.
Jessica Cartwright, PhD Candidate, Centre for Nutrition and Food Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation E: j.cartwright@uqconnect.edu.au
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
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Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
