Nourishing Campus Lives : A Human-Centered Exploration of Drivers of Student Nutrition Behaviour for Innovative Interventions in Fiji

Sammanfattning: Non-communicable disease (NCD) rates, like diabetes, in Fiji are among the highest globally. Given that poor nutrition behaviours increase one’s risk for developing NCDs later in life, it is critical to address this early on.  However, there is limited evidence on drivers of nutrition behaviours among indigenous iTaukei university students in Fiji nor how to best engage them in nutrition programming.  The study, informed by the Behavioural Drivers Model and Human Centered Design, uses a qualitative approach to identify behavioural drivers relevant to nutrition among iTaukei university students attending two universities in Suva, Fiji’s capital city. The research also engages student participants to identify ideas for interventions that they would be interested in taking forward.   Findings of the study uncover the complexity of behaviour and highlight the psychological, sociological and environmental drivers that are critical behavioural determinants of students’ diets. Research participants propose innovative ideas to shape nutrition programming and ensure they are active participants in the process.