Researchers in New Zealand worked with South Asian immigrants to design a health program that fits their lives and culture. They asked community members what makes it hard to eat healthy after moving to a new country, and what kind of help would actually work for them. The team discovered that busy schedules, kids’ food preferences, and different beliefs about healthy eating were the main challenges. Together, they created a program with comics, videos, and audio clips to help people make better food choices. This approach shows that when communities help design health programs, they’re more likely to work because they match real life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to create a diet and activity program that South Asian immigrants in New Zealand would actually want to use and find helpful
  • Who participated: South Asian adults aged 25-59 years old living in Auckland and Dunedin, New Zealand. The study included 10 people in interviews and 12 people in a workshop that helped design the program
  • Key finding: When researchers asked the community what they needed, people said they wanted educational comics and videos delivered through phones and computers—not traditional classes. The team created a program with 11 comics, 8 videos, 12 audio clips, and 18 science facts organized into 6 modules
  • What it means for you: Health programs work better when they’re designed by and for the people who will use them. If you’re part of a community, having a say in how health programs are created makes them more useful and realistic for your actual life

The Research Details

This study used a method called Participatory Action Research, which means researchers worked together with community members as equal partners rather than just studying them from the outside. First, researchers conducted 10 one-on-one interviews with South Asian immigrants between 2018 and 2019 to understand their challenges with eating healthy and what they wanted in a health program. They asked about what changed in their eating habits after moving to New Zealand, what worried them about their health, and how they preferred to learn about nutrition. Then, in 2019, the team held a workshop with 12 people including community members and local health leaders. During this workshop, everyone worked together to decide what the final program should look like, including choosing characters for comics and identifying community volunteers to help create videos.

This research approach is important because it respects community knowledge and experiences. Instead of experts deciding what South Asian people need, the community members themselves shaped the solution. This makes the program more likely to actually work because it addresses real problems and uses formats people actually want to use. It also builds trust and community ownership of the health program

This study is strong because it involved real community members in every step of the design process. The researchers used a recognized method (Participatory Action Research) that has been proven effective for creating culturally appropriate programs. However, the sample size was small (12 people in the workshop), so the findings represent these specific communities in New Zealand and may not apply everywhere. The study focused on the design process rather than testing whether the program actually improves health, so we don’t yet know if people will use it or if it will work long-term

What the Results Show

The research revealed several important barriers to healthy eating among South Asian immigrants. Children’s strong preference for packaged cereals and convenience foods made traditional breakfasts difficult to maintain. Time pressure was a major issue—busy work schedules made it hard to prepare traditional home-cooked meals. The study also found that many people believed all home-cooked food is automatically healthy, which meant they didn’t worry about portion sizes or cooking methods even when using traditional recipes. Concerns about meal timing and gradual weight gain over time were common worries. When asked about preferred learning formats, the community strongly preferred visual and digital methods: educational comics and short video clips were most appealing, and they wanted these delivered through phones and computers rather than in-person classes or printed materials.

The workshop process itself produced important results. Community members actively participated in choosing characters for the educational comics, making the materials feel more personally relevant. Local volunteers stepped forward to help create video content, showing that community members were willing to be involved in producing the program. The final intervention that was created included 11 educational comics, 8 videos, 12 audio clips, and 18 science fact snippets organized into five modules about diet and one module about physical activity. This variety of formats and content types reflects what the community said would work best for them

This study builds on growing evidence that one-size-fits-all health programs don’t work well for diverse communities. Previous research has shown that cultural tailoring—making programs fit specific communities—improves success rates. This study goes further by having the community design the program themselves rather than having outside experts decide what’s culturally appropriate. The focus on digital delivery and visual formats aligns with how people increasingly prefer to learn health information through their phones and computers

The study had a small number of participants (12 in the workshop), so the findings represent these specific communities in New Zealand and may not apply to all South Asian populations worldwide. The research focused on designing the program but didn’t test whether people actually use it or whether it helps them eat healthier and be more active—that would require a follow-up study. The interviews were conducted in 2018-2019, so some information about technology preferences may have changed. The study only included people aged 25-59, so we don’t know if the program would work for younger or older South Asians

The Bottom Line

If you’re part of a South Asian community or any community designing health programs, this research suggests involving community members from the start produces better results. The program created in this study appears promising for addressing diet-related health risks in South Asian populations, but more research is needed to confirm it actually works. Communities should consider using digital formats (videos, comics, audio) and phone/computer delivery rather than traditional in-person classes. Moderate confidence: This is a well-designed study, but it’s the first step—we need to see if people actually use the program and if it improves health

This research is most relevant for South Asian immigrants and their families in New Zealand and similar countries who want to maintain healthy eating habits while adapting to a new culture. Health professionals and community leaders working with South Asian populations should pay attention to the barriers and preferences identified. The approach of community co-design is valuable for any cultural group trying to create health programs. People who are not South Asian can still learn from the method used—involving your community in designing health solutions works better than top-down approaches

The program was just created, so we don’t yet know how long it takes to see health benefits. Based on similar nutrition programs, people typically need 3-6 months of consistent engagement to see changes in eating habits, and 6-12 months to see measurable health improvements like weight changes or better blood sugar control. The real test will come when the program is actually used by the community

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily meals using photos and note which traditional vs. convenience foods you’re eating. Rate your energy levels and how you feel after meals. This helps identify patterns in what works for your body and lifestyle
  • Start with one small change: replace one packaged breakfast item per week with a quick traditional option, or watch one educational video per week from the program. Use the app to set reminders for meal prep on busy days and track which recipes you actually have time to make
  • Weekly check-ins on meal patterns and physical activity. Monthly reviews of which program materials (comics, videos, audio clips) you’ve used and which ones were most helpful. Track energy levels, sleep quality, and how your clothes fit as practical health markers. Share progress with community members using the app for accountability and support

This research describes how a health program was designed but has not yet tested whether it actually improves health outcomes. The findings apply specifically to South Asian communities in New Zealand and may not apply to all populations. Before making major changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This program is designed to complement, not replace, professional medical advice. Results will vary based on individual factors including genetics, overall lifestyle, and how consistently you engage with the program.