According to a study in 2013, almost 1 in 3 Fijian’s is now diabetic and within the next 5 years this is projected to increase to 50%. Obesity is a serious issue for island communities due to a lack of public health education in the face of cheap imported high carbohydrate and fatty foods. There is also a huge increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a result of poor diet, in particular diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity and diabetes are placing a huge social, economical and emotional load on Fijian society. Currently, 1 in 3 Fijians are found to have elevated blood sugar, and this is primarily attributed by the excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates like white rice, refined flour and cassava (a local root crop with very high Glycemic Index).
IVI’s nutrition and dietetics programs generally cater to recent graduates with nutrition, dietetics or natural health backgrounds seeking valuable work experience in Fiji. Depending on the time of year and participant numbers, you’ll participate in structured outreach programs and/or work within busy health clinics shadowing qualified health professionals and/or conducting free assessments as well as general help and assistance where needed.
Outreach Program – Nutrition & Public HealthWorking alongside a qualified practitioner, the aim of the outreach project is health promotion & free assessments in resorts, schools, villages and corporate centers to increase the knowledge about nutrition and the effect of physical activity in the daily life in order to prevent the risk of developing NCD’s. Take part in an outreach program designed to empower Fijians to make informed decisions about their heath. You may have the opportunity to conduct health screenings like blood pressure checks, blood glucose level tests and waist to hip ratios measurement.
Who Can Participate in the Outreach ProgramStudents studying in the discipline of health science, physiotherapy & related fields and qualified therapists, nutritionists, naturopaths, dietitians. A qualified practitioner will be available to support and guide you during the program. Volunteers without qualifications in this field are still encouraged to apply and depending on your desire and experience, you may be accepted into the program.
Why we need you in Fiji
How can you help on this project?
As a volunteer on the public health & nutrition care project you’ll work in various communities around Nadi and Lautoka and the islands as well as remote island communities which lack access to basic healthcare. With support and assistance from the program coordinators, you will be assigned specific health cases and may be involved with but not limited to:
– Conducting individual and group consultations
– Remote island healthcare education
– Corporate health assessments (5 star resorts)
– Children’s health & education
– Identifying protein deficiency among school kids
– Assisting in the prescription of natural protocols
– Providing educational assistance and local talks (if desired)
– Helping build nutrition and diabetes awareness campaigns
– Designing fitness and exercise programs
– Village exercise programs
– General healthy living programs
Volunteers may also take part in presentations on exercise and living an active lifestyle, with topics such as healthy eating, sexual health and physical activity for school children.
Nadi is the main tourist area for Fiji and the gateway to island hoping. Coral coast is a beautiful stretch of tourist beaches located about 1 hour south by car. There are are many options for weekend excursions which our in-country management team will help you organize while in Fiji.
Includes:
Return airport transfers included from Nadi International Airport
Meals are included and served either at the resort (yummy!) or at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch normally on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation). We can also cater to gluten free, dairy free or vegan diets:
Nutrition & Public Health Outreach Assistant
Travel with purpose and help combat malnutrition and public health issues in Fiji. If you have an interest or background in Nutrition, Dietetics and community health....
$1024/week
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