Using a community based participatory research model within an indigenous framework to establish an exploratory platform of investigation into obesity

Obesity, together with related co-morbidities and psycho-social stigma, is highly prevalent amongst indigenous populations including the Māori people of New Zealand. This is of particular concern as indigenous peoples historically and currently experience health inequities. The primary objective of this work is to use the community-based participatory research (CBPR) paradigm to develop a methodological framework in an indigenous context, to enable an interpretation of health and wellness in relation to obesity. In this paper we present the process we used to develop our approach and our modified CBPR framework as a platform to explore perceptions of wellness to facilitate improved health outcomes. We embedded cultural values and beliefs held within a traditional Māori knowledge framework into CBPR, as a way to identify meaningful health promotion and prevention strategies in a New Zealand indigenous community. Our modified framework positioned indigenous people as decision-makers at the forefront of the research process from conception through to implementation and analysis. Acknowledging the research capacity of an indigenous community and facilitating their leadership research role was identified as being crucial in order to engage in a process aimed at investigating a priority public health issue. CBPR with an indigenous community identified three foundation elements of when conducting research: [1] relationship building, [2] consultation and generation of an identified research area of need, and [3] formation of an indigenous panel of expertise to provide leadership for all aspects of the research process.