ACBRD researchers attend the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual conference
By Dr Eloise Litterbach and Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott
ACBRD researchers Eloise Litterbach and Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott recently attended the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual conference. The event was held from June 11–14 in Auckland, New Zealand.
ISBNPA brings together experts from around the world to share ideas on how to improve physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and screen time—for both individuals and communities.
A Theme of Connection and Care
The theme of this year’s conference was:
“Manaaki Taiao, Manaaki Tāngata, Manaaki Meake Nei – Take Care of the Environment, Take Care of the People, Take Care of the Future.”
This message was clear throughout the week. Many talks focused on indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Māori culture was front and centre, highlighting the deep links between health, community, and caring for the Earth.
Inspiring Talks
One of the standout speakers was Dr. Ihi Heke, a Māori academic and health researcher. He spoke about ancestral Māori health practices, which see the land, sky, and sea as key parts of well-being. He noted that communities may disengage from programs framed solely as “health” interventions. Instead of focusing on health behaviours, he encouraged initiatives that centre connection to land and culture, through which health and well-being can be fostered.
Another moving talk came from Dr. Terryann Clark, who spoke about the well-being of Māori youth. She discussed the idea of whanaungatanga—the importance of family, connection, and belonging. Dr. Clark emphasised that culturally safe and relevant care, which respects ethnicity and context, is crucial for supporting health in indigenous and diverse communities.
Research Highlights
With up to 13 sessions running at once, it was not possible to see everything! But here are a few more highlights:
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- Dr Melody Ding explained why physical activity research needs a rebrand. Despite years of research and advocacy, most countries are still missing global targets to get people moving. She called for a shift toward system-wide, community-driven approaches that reflect the complex world we live in, so research can lead to real, lasting change.
- Prof. Dave Bergeron shared his work with two Quechua indigenous rural communities in Peru to understand how they define health. Together, they used a collective concept mapping process to identify meaningful local health indicators, like using traditional medicinal plants and eating locally grown foods. The findings can support and assess community-led health projects.
- Assoc Prof. Anna Serlachius shared research on a digital self-compassion intervention for weight management in type 2 diabetes. Her findings suggest that self-kindness helps with both mental health and diabetes care.
- A symposium called The Messiness of Family Mealtimes looked at how family meals can support health. Speakers talked about how family meals are measured, shared, and experienced. New research showed how family meals appear on social media. Presenters, including Eloise Litterbach, called for positive, non-judgmental approaches to family meals in both research and promotion.
Featuring the ACBRD
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- Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott presented on the stigma women face during gestational diabetes (GDM), especially in relation to food, physical activity, and weight. She explored how media and health messaging can make women feel blamed or shamed. The findings show a need for more compassionate, non-judgmental health messaging and support for women with GDM.
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- Eloise Litterbach spoke about how women view the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after GDM. Her research looked at how family meals can support the health of mothers, young children, and families. Findings show mums often focus on their child’s health and find simple, supportive messages about healthy family meals helpful. They prefer clear advice from trusted sources, paired with practical tools like recipes and meal plans.
Final Thoughts
The conference was a great chance to learn and share ideas about health, nutrition, and movement. A key message? Indigenous cultures offer rich and time-tested ways to understand and support holistic well-being.
Alongside the research, many were moved by the traditional Māori songs (Waiata) shared during the week. These songs, full of identity and spirit, helped create a strong sense of community among attendees.
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