Sugar consumption in Aboriginal children explored from a social practice perspective

Australian Aboriginal children have higher sugar intake and are disproportionately affected by sugar-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and dental caries than non-Aboriginal children. The intention of this paper was to highlight the need for approaches that can capture the complexity of health practices without reducing them to either individual choice or structural determination. We explore sugar consumption in Aboriginal children from a social practice perspective. Here, the unit of analysis is the practice, not the individual, where the elements of a social practice (competence, materials and meanings) are integrated into its performance. We conducted qualitative research using elements of focused ethnography with Aboriginal families in Western Australia to offer an alternative understanding of sugar and Aboriginal children's health. Findings highlight specific practices related to sugar consumption, indicating different social contexts: shopping with children, treats and rewards and family sporting participation. This reflects a complex system of interconnected practices, suggesting more insight is needed to understand the nature and complexity of influences on practices to design more successful policies and interventions. Reframing Aboriginal children's health within a social practice context may assist in mitigating the effects of sugar consumption and offer a different perspective on influencing factors.