The Most Relevant Principles for Obese Women - Essay Example

2,771 words. Thanks! Context and Principles of Community Development Obese women in the indigenous community in Australia Contents Contents 2 1. Introduction Obesity can be found in all population groups in Australia but is more evident in low socio economic groups such as the Indigenous people who are generally living in poverty. Moreover, the number of obese women in this community is much higher than men. Obesity is often resulting to diabetes, kidney failure, and cardiovascular diseases thus there is a need for a community development that can effectively promote healthy lifestyle among the Indigenous. However, typical community development is not enough to ensure sustainability as there are several issues associated with Indigenous living conditions that must be address. For this reason it is important to gain awareness of core community development principles and its suitability in the context of obese women. The following sections discusses the core community development for Australian society, a critical analysis of the suitability of each principles to women’s obesity problem in the Indigenous community, obesity and Indigenous women, the most relevant principles that can be applied in the above context, and discussions on possible barriers that might hinder the chosen principles applications and opportunities that might be taken to overcome them. 2. Community Development Community development is defined in various ways but it is generally viewed as both process and outcome. It is a process because it recognises the ability of communities to act collectively and develop themselves while do so. It is an outcome in the sense that it often result to physical, social, and economic improvement in a community (Phillips & Pittman 2009, p.3). There are two key concepts in community development – community and development. Community in this context is a physical place where people with common interest live together based on common interest and psychological ties. Development on the other hand can be viewed as social or political transformation, technological improvement, and economic growth. It is generally a change towards some specific social and economic goal (Robinson & Green 2010, p.13). Aside from the traditional ethical and practical principles of community development which generally include human orientation, empowerment, ownership, learning, adaptiveness, and so on, community development is also characterised by its features and outcome. These include primarily collective action, need and objective orientation, and actions that are generally focus on the grass root level. The outcomes on the hand are generally awareness, further development, effects, and community building (Swanepoel & De Beer p. 26-40). According to Henderson & Vercseg (2010), community development is a continuous process taking place on the boundaries of different systems such as volunteers, legislative branches, government agencies, and so on in order to respond to the changing economic and environmental concerns (p.4). It is more of an art than science since it is not merely about helping people in the community but developing leadership and capacity to manage themselves in the future (Haines & Green 2011, p.3). 3. Obese Women in Indigenous Community- Causes and Effects Obesity is a risk factor for hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, respiratory problems and sleep apnoea (O’Connor & Kovacs 2003, p.82). In Australia, indigenous women are said to be more likely to be overweight compared to non-indigenous women (McMurray & Clendon 2010, p.343). According to Morbid Obesity Health Network (2008), obesity has multiple causes and evidence suggest that some people are genetically destined to accumulate fat than others. The common cause of obesity is the imbalances in energy level and consumption, psychological, medical, and environmental factors (p.11). However, the highest levels of obesity are often found in communities that are less educated and in poverty. This is because poverty is associated with lower food spending consequential to low fruit and vegetable diets. Similarly, energy dense food is associated with low cost option while sweets and fats are associated with high energy intake (Burns & Thomson 2006, p.1). In Australia, obesity can be found in all population groups but it is more common in groups from low socio-economic backgrounds and aboriginal. In 2004-2005 study for instance, 28% of indigenous people from 15 years and older were overweight while 29% were obese. More importantly, female obesity in Indigenous communities was much higher than male. The primary causes indentified are glucose intolerance during pregnancy, lifestyle, decline in the level of physical activity, poverty, high prices of nutritious food, and excessive intake of energy, fat, and sugar (Burns & Thomson 2006, p.7). In other words, obesity is more identified with poor diet and physical inactivity. For instance, in 1996 study about causes of disease in Australian population reveals that diet was responsible for most deaths than tobacco or alcohol. The Aboriginal population’s high-energy dense foods intake was greater than non-Aboriginal Australians while 60% of Aboriginal women were overweight. In general, the study found health behaviours such as poor diet, inadequate physical activity, and so on are responsible for obesity and increase susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes (Rosenberg & Lawrence 2000, p.4). Since Indigenous people are the most disadvantaged population group in Australia, the dispossession and alienation, social, political, economic disadvantage they are experiencing contribute to their physical and emotional ill health. For instance, poor nutrition throughout their lifespan contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, low or high birth weights and malnutrition, obesity, and high rates of excess morbidity and mortality (National Public Health Partnership 2001, p.11). A study about preventable chronic diseases among Indigenous Australians in 2005 suggests that life expectancy of Indigenous Australians is 20 years less than non-Indigenous. The identified major contributors to premature deaths are diabetes, kidney and other health problems while their common risk factors are poor quality diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and central obesity. It is important to note the diabetes is lifestyle-related while kidney failure is to economic disadvantage. For instance, poverty and overcrowded living conditions caused by unemployment, welfare dependency, and poor education often result to poor health (O’Dea 2005, p.2). 4. Suitability of Community Development Principles 4.1 Social justice and Human Rights Holism, sustainability, diversity, and balanced development are all part of the ecological principles of development and each one addresses specific barriers in effective community development. However, although essential and very helpful these are not enough in the real world. For instance, community development must deal with the reality of oppression in class, gender, race and ethnicity within a particular community and therefore requires principles beyond ecology. Social justice and human rights according to Tesoriero (2010), can address structural and post structural disadvantage, barriers in empowerment and human rights (p.241) and in terms of sustainability of community development involving Indigenous people such principle is valuable. As mentioned in the previous section, the Indigenous community is not an ordinary community as they are the most disadvantaged population in terms of oppression, economic, social and political aspects of life. In fact, their status in the Australian society negatively affects their physical and emotional health. Poor education, unemployment and poverty for instance result to poor nutrition that is consequential to diabetes and associated diseases. Similarly, lower food spending due high cost of healthy foods results to consumption of low cost energy dense food diet containing significant amount of fats. It is also important to note that they are historically healthy and lean before they were colonised thus social justice and human rights have something to do with their current poor and unhealthy lifestyle. Similar to diversity as discussed below, social justice and human rights can prevent erosion of identities and widespread exclusion thus community developments aiming for long-term outcomes must take into account the impact of oppressive tendencies to unity and compliance. 4.2 Diversity The ecological principle of diversity recognised the fact that people do things differently (Tesoriero, 2010) thus in terms of suitability the principle is relevant for long-term and realistic community development. In dealing with issues concerning obese women in Australia’s Indigenous community, diversity can play an important role in facilitating realistic approaches in community development. Indigenous Australians have unique ways of doing things thus imposing some other ways may result in conflict and non-compliance. For instance, Indigenous societies are culturally heterogeneous since there ways are often oriented to either tradition or geographical remoteness. More importantly, economic status in this kind of community is not generally measured by income levels and ownership of assets because people with access to ritual or religious knowledge in some tradition-oriented communities have higher status. Similarly, people with effective resource management skills have higher social status than those who owned resources. This is because materialistic considerations are of lesser importance among the Indigenous population while access to resources are largely determined by its availability and employment rates that is generally significantly lower than non-Indigenous Australians (Jupp 2001, p.137). Diversity is thus a useful principle considering the danger of exclusionary practices to community development aiming to promote healthy lifestyle to communities with different orientations and behaviours. For instance, considering the diversity of obese women belonging to a particular Indigenous community can lead to better intervention since community development workers are well aware of their limitations and capacity of Indigenous women to do things their way. In contrast, imposing external means can result to confusion and opposition that can greatly affect the processes and outcome of the community development program. Recognition of the principle of diversity is similar to recognising individual capacity to manage their life. For instance, letting the community do things their way and allowing people to exercise their power not only address diversity but avoid oppression. This is because empowering the disadvantage is similar to providing social justice and human rights that motivates people to take control of their lives and contribute to the community they belong 4.3 Empowerment Empowerment according to Tesoriero (2010) is about providing people with resources and opportunities so they can independently manage their lives (p.240). In other words, empowerment eradicates the danger of oppression and domination and increases the capacity and motivation of individuals to live a more productive and beneficial life through their own effort. The significance of this principle to community development is therefore unquestionable as no community or individual will ever accept a dominating community development program. Similarly, any attempt to ignore the value of empowerment decrease the opportunities provided by social justice and human rights as well as diversity that are essential elements of an unopposed and well-accepted community development. For instance, ignoring the capacity of Indigenous people to manage their affairs is similar to restraining their rights to determine and decide for their community. As mentioned earlier, Indigenous people’s lifestyle was historically healthy until they were colonised by the West who eventually controlled their lives and determine what is good for them. Consequently, the inherent ability of Indigenous population to manage themselves gradually disappears until they become dependent and satisfied with welfare, get used to unemployment, learn to survive in crowded conditions, and live an unhealthy lifestyle. Empowering community development therefore can help Indigenous people regain their lost confidence in their ability to manage themselves. Reinvigorate their sense of worth and move towards a productive and healthy life. For instance, because of the many years of colonisation and being a welfare recipient rather than a productive and proud member of society, Indigenous people probably lost their sense of worth which can only be revived by recognising their ability and value, and empowering them again. Empowerment is also a term associated with valuing local culture, knowledge and expertise, and utilisation of its own resources for the betterment of the community as discussed below. 4.4 Valuing the Local Valuing the local culture, knowledge and expertise, and considering native resources that can provide sustainable community development is evidently advantageous than imposing a set of same resources determined and established elsewhere. For instance, local knowledge and expertise may be valued more by the community in the sense that this is empowerment. Similarly, valuing the local culture and traditions enhances individual identity and enables human rights and sustainability to be addressed locally. Self-reliance on the other hand minimised the need for external support and ensure continuity of community development initiatives. The principle therefore supports a realistic approach to sustainable community development in the sense that self-reliance and internal sourcing are economically and politically feasible. In terms of suitability, a community development initiative for obese women belonging to the Indigenous community for instance may benefit from local expertise in promoting good nutrition and monitoring the processes and outcomes of the program. Similarly, since unemployment and poverty are the source of poor nutrition and obesity, it may be appropriate to create jobs and employ qualified locals. 5. The Most Relevant Principles for Obese Women It is important to note that Aborigines are historically hunter gatherers and their diet is generally dominated by variety of animals and plants. Along with significant physical activity that was built into their daily routines, the Aborigines were healthy and lean and not suffering from chronic diseases. However, they lost this healthy lifestyle when they were colonized and since then their new westernised lifestyle became a source of distress (O’Dea 2005, p.3). For this reason, community development for obese women in this community will benefit from at least four principles of community development – empowerment, human rights, diversity, and valuing the local. As the principle of process suggest, a community development program must address issues surrounding the community intervention. For instance, since poverty and physical inactivity due to unemployment and lifestyle changes are the primary causes of unhealthy living, empowering the population and ensuring equality can rejuvenate their self-esteem and motivation to pursue a more productive and healthy life. Similarly, recognising their diversity and value can revive their interest not only in the community where they belong but on national issues affecting their lives. Community development in this area should move towards providing sources of livelihood otherwise health promotion and other community initiatives will fail. Unemployment due to poor education is social injustice and human rights issue that must address along with discriminatory practices that isolate the community from the rest of the Australian population. Obesity is evidently not a choice but a product of social inequalities which community development must take into account. Using the four essential principles, obesity may be address by empowering the community once again, recognised their rights as members of the Australian society rather than persistently classifying them as natives, value their talent and capability, and appreciate their uniqueness as people with different orientation and ways of doing things. However, the opportunities provided by these principles may not be realised if barriers to its application exist. These include existing oppressive policies and imbalances in community development initiatives which may be viewed by Indigenous as bias and only serve the interest of government and the large non-indigenous community. For instance, the health consequences of obesity as well as the benefits of healthy lifestyle may be clear to the community but it may be difficult to accept if they are unemployed and tormented by poverty. In the same manner, the community will also reject community development initiatives based on ‘white’ practices and activities as it devalued their culture and tradition. Dealing with these barriers may not be easy but with genuine commitment and understanding of the relevant principles of community development, these can be overcome. The Indigenous community not only deserve welfare but recognition of their realities and acceptance of the rights as valued member of the Australian society. They need education, employment, and equal opportunities. They need to overcome poverty, discrimination, alienation, and social injustices responsible for their physical and emotional ill health. Therefore, the community development intended for obese women in the Indigenous community in Australia should give its full attention to root causes of obesity rather than direct promotion of health lifestyle. More importantly, it should take into account the relevant principles mentioned earlier to ensure success and sustainability of the program. 6. Conclusion The obesity problem of Indigenous women in Australia is not just a matter of nutrition and healthy lifestyle but existing social inequalities such as oppression and poverty. It is therefore necessary that community development should tackle the root causes first using relevant community development principles mentioned earlier. Application of these principles will not only ensure relevance but sustainability of the program. Although the physical and emotional well being of Indigenous population is the primary concern, community development should not be limited to this area since there are important social issues that must be address. The most relevant principles as far as sustainability is concern are empowerment, human rights, diversity, and valuing the local as the problem of obesity is more of a social problem than health. However, barriers in the application of these principles must be overcome by genuine commitment and elimination of traditional community development strategies that are widely based on the one-size fits-all assumption. 7. 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(2010), Community Health and Wellness: Primary Health Care in Practice, Elsevier, Australia Morbid Obesity Health Network, (2008), WA Morbid Obesity Model of Care, Department of Health, Western Australia, pp.1-28 National Public Health Partnership, (2001), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan- 2000-2010, Strategic Inter-Governmental Nutrition Alliance, Australia O’Connor V. & Kovacs G, (2003), Obstetrics, gynaecology, and women’s health, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom O’Dea K, (2005), Preventable Chronic Disease among Indigenous Australians: The Need for A Comprehensive National Approach, The 2005 Australian Judges Conference in Darwin, Australia, pp.1-11 Phillips R. & Pittman R, (2009), An Introduction to Community Development, Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom Robinson J. & Green G, (2010), Introduction to Community Development: Theory, Practice, and Service-Learning, SAGE, United States Rosenberg M. & Lawrence A, (2000), Review of Primary Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Western Australia, The Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Western Australia Swanepoel H. & De Beer F, (2006), Community Development: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Juta and Company Ltd, South Africa Tesoriero F, (2010), Community Development: Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation, Pearson Education, Australia Read More