Amanaki STEM Academy (ASA) Heart Health Study in Pasifika community

The intervention consists of participants (families with a child attending ASA) undergoing a culturally tailored nutrition program (Pacific Heartbeat) developed by the Heart Foundation, which will be adjusted in collaboration with ASA for delivery in their community. The Pacific Heartbeat team from the Heart Foundation will provide weekly 2-hour training sessions, delivered by trained community facilitators, around nutrition, heart-healthy lifestyle and diet, physical activity, and heart health. These training sessions will involve practical skills, including reading and understanding food labelling and cooking strategies to help support a “heart-healthy” diet from a Pacific perspective. Attendance to these sessions will be logged. During the intervention period, groups of parents will be put on a roster to cook a meal to share with the ASA students after their afternoon/evening tutoring sessions (~50 students each night). Each parent will be rostered to cook once each week for the 8-week intervention period. The recipes will be provided by the Heart Foundation, and the necessary ingredients will be provided by the study. Additionally, a “Pacific Tastes” recipe book will also be given to all participants, and for each week they cook for the ASA students, a “food bag” style package of heart-healthy ingredients corresponding to a suggested recipe will be given to the parents to take home and cook for their own whanau. Provided recipes will include the necessary ingredients and the methods. Below is a brief example of one of the recipes: Palusami - Taro Leaves parcel (serves 1) Ingredients: 5 - 6 medium-sized taro leaves 1/2 onion, finely diced 2/3 cup diluted coconut cream Aluminium foil Method: 1. Remove the stalk and ribs from the taro leaves. Rinse under running water and shake dry. 2. Mix the onion with the diluted coconut cream. 3. Layer 5–6 taro leaves, so they overlap each other to create a bowl in the palm of your hand. 4. Pour in the onion and coconut cream mixture. 5. Gather up the edges of the taro leaves with your other hand to close the parcel. 6. Place the taro parcel onto the aluminium foil and quickly close to form a tight ball. 7. Place in an oven dish and bake at 200°C for 1 hour or cook in an umu (hangi or underground oven). 8. Serve with green bananas or taro.