The epidemic of obesity in American Indian communities and the need for childhood obesity-prevention programs

Citation
M. Story et al., The epidemic of obesity in American Indian communities and the need for childhood obesity-prevention programs, AM J CLIN N, 69(4), 1999, pp. 747S-754S
Citations number
78
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrynology, Metabolism & Nutrition","Endocrinology, Nutrition & Metabolism
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
ISSN journal
00029165 → ACNP
Volume
69
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Supplement
S
Pages
747S - 754S
Database
ISI
SICI code
0002-9165(199904)69:4<747S:TEOOIA>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesi ty. The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in American Indians shows the adverse effects that obesity has in these communities. Obesity has become a major health problem in American Indians only in the past 1-2 generations and is believed to be associated with the relative abundance of high-fat fo ods and the rapid change from active to sedentary lifestyles. Intervention studies are urgently needed in American Indian communities to develop and t est effective strategies for weight reduction. The poor success rate of adu lt obesity treatment programs in the general population points to the need to develop prevention approaches aimed toward children. Because eating and physical activity practices are formed early in life and may be carried int o adulthood, prevention programs that encourage increased physical activity and healthful eating habits targeted toward young people need to be develo ped and tested. To be most effective, interventions must be developed with full participation of the American Indian communities. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69(suppl):747S-54S.