To Promote Island Foods for their Health, Biodiversity in Fed. States of Micronesia

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To Promote Island Foods for their Health, Biodiversity in Fed. States of Micronesia
 

– Reported, April 04, 2012

 

Dietary- and lifestyle-related diseases are problems of epidemic proportion in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Public health resources to help prevent nutrition-related problems are limited. There is also concern about biodiversity, neglect of traditional staple foods, and threatened loss of traditional
knowledge. A “Go Local” campaign was initiated to increase production and consumption of locally grown foods, for their Culture, Health, Environment, Economics, and Food security (“CHEEF”) bene? ts. To provide updates and discuss local island food topics, the Island Food Community of Pohnpei launched an interagency email network in 2003 . Interested members’ email addresses were recorded in distribution lists, weekly/bi-weekly emails were sent and from these messages, a database was organized to record email topic details. An analysis of all emails up to July 2009 showed that membership had expanded to over 600 listed people from all FSM states, other Paci? c Island countries and beyond. Information was shared on topics ranging from scienti? c ? ndings of carotenoid content in local island food cultivars, to discussions on how daily habits related to island food use can be improved. Over 200 men and women, aged 22 to 80 years, contributed items, some indicating that they had shared emails to a further network at their workplace or community. In conclusion, this email network is a simple, cost-effective method to share information, create awareness, and mobilize island food promotion efforts with potential for providing health, biodiversity and other bene? ts of island foods to populations in the FSM and other countries.

Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and micronutrient de?ciency disorders, such as vitamin A de? ciency and anemia, have become problems of epidemic proportion in all four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Kosrae

The Pohnpei STEPs survey showed that 32.8% of adults, from 25 to 64 years of age, are diabetic
These health conditions are related to dietary and lifestyle changes, and the shift from traditional staple foods to re? ned processed foods, in particular, white rice, ? our products, sugar and sweet foods and fatty meats. At the same time, there is concern about the neglect of traditional staple foods, banana, breadfruit, taro, and other crops, such as coconut; the loss of traditional knowledge about these foods and biodiversity loss

The reasons for the shift towards imported processed foods include changing lifestyles, cost, availability,convenience, status of imported foods, shift from subsistence to market economy, and changing tastes
It is important to understand these reasons before tackling local food promotion issues. FSM national policies sometimes recommend eating a healthy diet without speci? cally referring to local island foods

Or, local foods may be mentioned in action plans and planning documents but few people may know about or use the particular document
Radio, newspaper and television have limitations as communication methods throughout Pohnpei and the FSM. Radio broadcasting equipment breakdowns in Pohnpei and Chuuk have sometimes led to a halt in broadcasting for months at a time. Newspapers, newsletters and television reach only a small proportion
of the population with telephone and mobile phone as the most common communication methods in urban areas
Although email is a new communication method, it is increasingly being used in government and non-government of? ces and educational institutions and, for many people, checking email has become a part of their daily routine.
The FSM has had internet access fairly early on and is soon to have an even better internet access through the introduction of a ? ber optic cable . Despite a widely held perception that people in the Paci? c do not email,there are growing numbers of FSM youth and adults who actively email.
Note is made of Alan Howard’s work on the Rotuma, Fiji website and how he ? rst started sharing messages via email with contacts and colleagues
Social networking, which includes email, is an international movement and research shows that it can play a critical role in how people solve problems and achieve their goals

The “Go Local” Island Food Network has provided two types of messages: 1) updates on Paci? c island foods as well as relevant global nutrition/health/local food messages; and 2) comments by email network members on their perceptions on these updates and suggestions on actions that should be taken. The
network reaches people living in Micronesia or other parts of the Paci? c Islands where email access may be convenient, and also reaches people out of the region who are interested in obtaining more information on island food topics and keeping contact with people in the Paci?c.Those who respond come from a range of backgrounds, health, agriculture, environment, both academic and non-academic, most often working people although not always.

The email network is in English, and thus is limited to an English-speaking group, not including the “grassroots” people who are familiar only with their local language(s). On the other hand, many network participants indicate that they often later discuss the email topics in their local language in informal settings, such as the “Pohnpei sakau bar.” Some write that they copy and share the messages further in their of?ces, schools and communities. Some indicate that they have never before written items for sharing in mass media and are very encouraged to see their written comments shared with and praised by a large group of people.
The major binding factor is that people are interested in island foods, with culture as an important driving force. People also share items that they have received from other sources, which foster an inter-active atmosphere. The email messages are usually short (a few sentences per message), and thus quick and easy to read. Websites are often provided, which give further visual content and in-depth information for those who are interested.

The “Go Local” Island Food Email Network has attracted growing interest, as seen by the increasing number of participants submitting items for sharing and comments to previous emails. Changing habits and bringing the issue of the importance of local food production and consumption into the social mainstream requires a broad consensus by people of all ages, dedication and commitment. Thus, a wide range of methods is important for shaping new attitudes and providing information that can be used to further mobilize island food promotion efforts and share information about the “CHEEF” bene?ts of local foods. Email offers a simple cost-effective communication method, in which updates can be shared and many various topics can be discussed. It requires a minimum of resources, while providing substantial potential to strengthen the commitment to promoting local food. Support is needed for continuing this activity….So let’s work together,and let’s go local!

Credits:Englberger L,Lorens A,Pretrick ME,Spegal R and Falcam I.

More information at:
http://www.pacifichealthdialog.org.fj/volume16_no1/Island%20Food%20Network.pdf

 

 

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