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Revitilisation of the Samoan traditional diet

Year:
2020
Duration:
66 months
Approved budget:
$126,868.00
Researchers:
Amy Maslen-Miller
,
Professor Peter Shepherd
Health issue:
Other (generic health or health services)
Proposal type:
Pacific Health PhD Scholarship
Lay summary
High intake of sugars increases the risk of developing obesity and type-2 diabetes, with Maori and Pasifika most likely at risk. With diabetes being the leading cause of death and disability in Samoa and the rate of diabetes increasing in New Zealand, there is an urgency to resolve this issue. The aim of this study is to revitalise the Samoan traditional diet through scientific research and indigenous knowledge. In particular, understanding the sugars present in Samoan traditional foods, their cultural significance and role in Samoan culture and understanding how sugars are processed in Pasifika peoples.