Source: Government of Western Australia
Ishar’s nutritionist, Ms Atefeh Rashnavadi, has seen the many hidden challenges to healthy eating that new arrivals face while adapting to life in a new country.
“Financial hardship, language barriers, trauma and food insecurity all make it harder for them to access and afford nutritious foods that also fit their cultural needs,” she said.
“This can force them to make unhealthy choices, because most of the time, those foods are cheaper and readily available. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, delayed growth and development in children, and limit the ability of adults to work, study or care for others.
“This creates a cycle of poor health, stress, and social isolation that is difficult to break.”
With Healthway’s support, Ishar has focused on education first – with 113 community nutrition education sessions delivered over three years by staff from Ishar and the Child and Adolescent Health Service – Refugee Health.