THE KAHNAWAKE SCHOOLS DIABETES PREVENTION PROJECT - INTERVENTION, EVALUATION, AND BASE-LINE RESULTS OF A DIABETES PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAM WITH A NATIVE COMMUNITY IN CANADA

Objectives. Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project is a 3-year community-based, primary prevention program for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a Mohawk community near Montreal, Canada, Objecti ves are to improve healthy eating and encourage more physical activity among elementary school children, Methods. Intervention incorporates behavior change theory, Native learning styles, the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, and a health promotion planning model. Evaluation u ses a mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional design to measure obesity , fitness, eating habits, and physical activity of elementary school c hildren in the experimental and comparison communities. Intermediate v ariables are self-efficacy and perceived parental support, Process eva luation provides feedback to the intervention, Results. During 3 years , 63 distinct interventions that included a Health Education Program r einforced by school events, a new Community Advisory Board, a recreati on path, and community-based activities promoting healthy lifestyles w ere implemented, Baseline consent rates were 87 and 71% in the experim ental and comparison schools. As expected, anthropometric data increas e with age. Between 9 and 10 years there are increased weight, height, BMI, and skinfold thicknesses; decreased fitness; and increased telev ision watching. Conclusions. Implementing a Native community-based dia betes prevention program is feasible through participatory research th at incorporates Native culture and local expertise. (C) 1997 Academic Press.