Healthy lifestyle initiatives for increasing fruit and vegetable intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a rapid review
Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is key to reducing chronic disease risk among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This rapid review collated evidence on healthy lifestyle initiatives that focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples residing in major cities. Due to limited studies conducted within major cities, we extended our inclusion criteria to regional and remote areas. Sixteen studies were included. Five (31%) studies were rated as good quality (least risk of bias), ten (63%) were rated as fair, and one (6%) was rated as poor (significant risk of bias). Five (31%) studies employed participatory research in the design and/or execution, and seven (44%) studies included minimal community involvement. Only five (31%) studies were undertaken in major cities; four of these combined major cities with regional and/or remote areas. All five studies reported positive findings, such as an increase in fresh fruit availability, usage of fresh vegetables, or self-reported fruit and vegetable intake. This review provides evidence confirming the need for high-quality healthy lifestyle initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable intake targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in major cities. This evidence will assist community organisations in designing effective health promotion interventions, providing insight into improving the structure and function of such programs. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020194522 Novelty • Five studies were undertaken in major cities and all reported positive findings; only one study was rated as good quality. • Presented data supports the need for high-quality studies to be conducted among those residing in major cities.