First Nation Peoples’ nutrition and exercise group programmes: transforming success through the lifeworld

Abstract

Purpose Previous literature has applied system-focused structures to understand the success of First Nations Peoples’ nutrition and exercise group programmes. Existing system-focused measures have included biomedical outcomes, access and service utilization. By broadening the focus of programme success beyond the system, we can evaluate programmes from a First Nations Peoples’ lifeworld perspective. Critical hermeneutics and yarning using a lens of Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action to the literature has the potential to transform understandings of “success” in First Nations Peoples’ nutrition and exercise group programmes. Methods In this literature interpretation, we explored the critical success factors from a lifeworld perspective, giving scope to go beyond a system perspective to include a cultural, social or personal perspective. Results Our yarning led us to understand that there is a communicative relationship between explicit system structures and implicit lifeworld concepts that are critical success factors for First Nations nutrition and exercise group programmes. We have developed a set of reflective questions to guide others in considering a lifeworld perspective. Conclusions Our findings represent a shift away from success measured by the dominant power structure to respect the lifeworld culture, knowledges and values of First Nations Peoples towards shared understanding and mutual decision-making.

Keywords

• indigenous people
• habermas
• critical hermeneutics
• literature interpretation
• shared decision-making