Journal
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Volume 37, Issue 6, Pages S3-S12Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.08.008
Keywords
obesity; American Indian; native American; prevention; children; diet; physical activity; cardiovascular disease; Type 2 diabetes
Funding
- NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE [U01HL050905, U01HL050867, U01HL050907, U01HL050869, U01HL050885] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NHLBI NIH HHS [HL-50867, HL-50869, HL-50885, HL-50905, HL-50907] Funding Source: Medline
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Background. American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesity. The health risks associated with obesity are numerous and include Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and respiratory problems. Obesity has become a major health problem in American Indians only in the past few generations and it is believed to be associated with the relative abundance of high-fat, high-calorie foods and the rapid change from active to sedentary lifestyles. Methods. The authors reviewed selected literature on prevalence of obesity in American-Indian children, and health consequences of obesity. Results. Obesity is now one of the most serious public health problems facing American-Indian children, and it has grave implications for the immediate and long-term health of American-Indian youth. Unless this pattern is reversed, American-Indian populations will be burdened by an increased incidence of chronic diseases. Intervention studies are urgently needed in American-Indian communities to develop and test effective strategies for obesity prevention and treatment. Conclusions. To be effective, educational and environmental interventions must be developed with full participation of the American-Indian communities. (C) 2003 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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