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.
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.
Authors: Sally M Davis; Theresa Clay; Mary Smyth; Joel Gittelsohn; Vivian Arviso; Hilary Flint-Wagner; Bonnie Holy Rock; Richard A Brice; Lauve Metcalfe; Dawn Stewart; Maihan Vu; Elaine J Stone Journal: Prev Med Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Elaine J Stone; James E Norman; Sally M Davis; Dawn Stewart; Theresa E Clay; Ben Caballero; Timothy G Lohman; David M Murray Journal: Prev Med Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Anna Zamora-Kapoor; Adam Omidpanah; Lonnie A Nelson; Alice A Kuo; Raymond Harris; Dedra S Buchwald Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet Date: 2017-01-10 Impact factor: 4.910
Authors: Robin Taylor Wilson; Lisa C Richardson; Janet J Kelly; Judith Kaur; Melissa A Jim; Anne P Lanier Journal: Cancer Date: 2008-09-01 Impact factor: 6.860