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Australian Aboriginal people rarely migrate overseas. However, since colonisation they have been forced to migrate within Australia, away from their traditional homelands, living in alien cultural settings under considerable, long-term stress. In this respect they are in a similar position to asylum seekers or refugees who are detained on entering Australia, experiencing high rates of depression, anxiety and unresolved posttraumatic stress. Aboriginal people themselves point to the healing effects of the land, their traditional country. The interaction of Aboriginal people with country is similar to the interaction they have with people. Studies over several decades have shown that a return to traditional country and caring for country has a positive impact on wellbeing and that the wellbeing of Aboriginal people is tied to the wellbeing of the country. Healing programs based around traditional country, culture and spirituality have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Because of the epidemic of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Australian Aboriginals known for their higher cardiovascular mortality and shorter life expectancy, we analyzed the possible relationship of their MS risks with the current dietary custom. Methods. The subjects were 84 people aged 16-79 years. The health examination was conducted according to the basic protocol of WHO-CARDIAC (Cardiovascular Diseases and Alimentary Comparison) Study. Results. The highest prevalence among MS risks was abdominal obesity (over 60%). After controlling for age and sex, the odds of obesity decreased significantly with high level of urinary magnesium/creatinine ratio (Mg/cre) (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.57; P < .05). The significant inverse associations of fat intake with Mg/cre and of fast food intake with urinary taurine/creatinine ratio were revealed. Conclusions. The high prevalence of obesity in the Aboriginal people of this area may partly be due to the reduction of beneficial nutrients intake including Mg and taurine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]