Factors contributing to strengths-based nutrition research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Strengths-based research has been identified to change deficit discourse to one that reports strengths of individuals and Communities through fostering capacity strengthening. Currently, there is a lack of guidance on how to implement strengths-based approaches in research which has resulted in inconsistencies in how strengths-based research is conducted and reported. This article identifies key factors that could be used to guide strengths-based nutrition research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Following a critical social research study design perspectives of strengths-based researchers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health were utilised to identify current practices, barriers, and enablers to strengths-based health research. Six key factors were identified: capacity strengthening and empowerment; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander driven research; the importance of research approaches; changing the current research system and culture; the need to reframe the narrative of ill-health; and learning from existing tools and guidelines. This research has the potential to be translated into both research and public health policy, contribute as a stepping stone to the development of a practical framework within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research space as well as be applied to other professions and Indigenous populations.