Home > Review Articles > Healthcare outcomes > ‘E koekoe te Tūī, e ketekete te Kākā, e kuku te Kererū, The Tūī chatters, the Kākā cackles, and the Kererū coos’: Insights into explanatory factors, treatment experiences and recovery for Māori with eating disorders

‘E koekoe te Tūī, e ketekete te Kākā, e kuku te Kererū, The Tūī chatters, the Kākā cackles, and the Kererū coos’: Insights into explanatory factors, treatment experiences and recovery for Māori with eating disorders

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 109
Authors:
  • Clark MTR et al.
Summary:

A qualitative study using Kaupapa Māori methodology found that Māori with eating disorders and their whānau have their own experiences, needs and required treatment responses. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 Māori with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder) and two whānau members. Overall themes were antecedents, treatment and recovery. Causal factors of eating disorders were cumulative exposure to body and sporting ideals and adversity. Complexities of treatment included rural settings for generalised mental health services, allocation of Māori cultural support, the economic burden of treatment, culturally incongruent treatment (methods, values) and a weight-focused discharge criterion. Recovery was aided by appropriate health information, self-determination, connection to culture and whānau aspirations.

Comment:
Māori Health Review plays an important role connecting people with similar interests. I’m often asked about research on eating disorders with Māori and to be honest, wasn’t aware of work until seeing this. I hope interested readers will reach out to the authors/team. As the authors say, it is incredibly important and sadly we will likely see numbers and inequity grow.
Reference: Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2024;58(4):365-372.
Abstract
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Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

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