Can biodiverse food systems help reverse the rise of chronic diseases while providing climate change resilience in the PSIDS?

Chris Vogliano MS, RDJessica E. Raneri, MS

Prof Jane CoadShane Tutua, PhDProf Carol Wham

Prof Barbara Burlingame

Chris Vogliano MS, RDMassey University - Ph.D. Candidate, Public Health NutritionBioversity International – Research Fellow Wellington, New Zealandc.vogliano@massey.ac.nz

@chrisvoglianoTwitter

Climate changeDiet-related NCDs

Biodiversity loss

Challenges for Pacific Small Island Developing Countries

SolomonIslands

Melanesia 900+ Islands 650,000 indigenous peoples

Over 75 distinct languages 80+% rural subsistence farming households

Centre of Biological Diversity

Women Group(mixed ages, ~8 people)

Men Group (mixed ages, ~8 people)

Youth Group(ages 8-15, ~8 people)

Assessing Sustainable Food Systems

Participatory focus group discussions (FGDs)Themes include: climate change; food production; diet trends over time; local and traditional food lists; market opportunities and challenges; and future food and health projections

Day

1D

ays

2 -

5 Repeat, multiple pass 24-hour dietary recallsAssess individual energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intakes; document species and variety for each ingredient (includes ingredient sourcing)

Anthropometric measurements BMI; Body fat percentage & lean muscle mass; waist circumference; calf circumference; physical activity assessment

Food and nutrition questionnaire On farm production diversity score; Knowledge attitudes and practices (KAP); Knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP); Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES); Food loss and food waste estimates

40

ho

useh

old

s

Prim

ary coo

k o

f h

ou

seho

ld o

nly

All

ParticipatoryFocus GroupDiscussions

• 253 varieties• Knowledge transmission rapidly declining• Shift away from traditional foods to ultra-processed foods• Productivity of land is declining, while population is increasing

Arrival of Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) Cyclone Ida hits

Logging begins in Baniata

Arrival of missionaries

World War II Agriculture subsidies introduced

1950 1990s

1915

1920 1977

1941 1970s

Regional tuna factory opens

1986

Water supply installed

2007

Tsunami strikes

Food System Transitions

• < 60% of women were overweight or obese (31.1% body fat)• Food insecurity was high during lean season (April-June)• Food preservation practices minimal

NutritionSurvey

Quantitative

Usual Nutrient IntakesCompared to EAR

AGROBIODIVERSITY

can help improve productivity, nutrient-density, adaptability and climate-resilience of agricultural production systems.

Bioversityinternational.org

Fe’i Banana (Carotenoid Rich)M. × troglodytarum L.

2,230 µg beta-carotene per 100 g

Bele (Slippery Cabbage)Abelmoschus manihot L.

Excellent source of carotenoids, zinc, protein and calcium

Masi Masi

15

Food plant solutions, 2012

16

Food plant solutions, 2012

A PathForward

Reversing the rise of malnutrition

Neglected & Underutilized Species

Integrated school nutrition education

Improved agricultural productivity & food preservation

Policies: fortification, SSB tax, trans fat ban

Supervisors

Professor Barbara Burlingame, Massey University - Wellington Campus

Professor Jane Coad, Massey University – Manawatu Campus

Dr Sunia Foliaki, Massey University – Wellington Campus

Associate Professor Carol Wham, Massey University – Albany Campus

Bioversity International

In particular Jessica Raneri

Solomon Islanders

The villagers of Baniata for their extraordinary hospitality and willingness to contribute to our research

Local facilitators (Dr. Shane Tutua, Carol Offen, Joe Hagabore)

Acknowledgements