Diet and physical activity patterns of Lakota Indian adults

Objectives This study assessed specific dietary practices and overall physi cal activity patterns of Lakota adults residing on Indian reservations in S outh Dakota. Perceived barriers to changing dietary and physical activity b ehaviors were also examined. Design A convenience sample of Lakota adults was surveyed. Data on consumpt ion of higher-fat foods, fruit and vegetable intake, use of sugar-sweetened beverages, physical activity patterns, and barriers to change in diet and physical activity were collected via in-person interviews. Subjects/setting A total of 219 adults from 2 adjacent reservations in Sout h Dakota participated. Results Higher-fat foods consumed most frequently included margarine and bu tter (32.0% greater than or equal to 5 times per week); eggs (30.1% greater than or equal to 5 times per week); whole milk (25.7% greater than or equa l to 5 times per week); potato chips, corn chips, and popcorn (15.1% greate r than or equal to 5 times per week); and bacon and sausage (13.3% greater than or equal to 5 times per week). Few subjects reported consuming fruit o n a daily basis. Vegetables were consumed somewhat more frequently. Most su bjects reported engaging in mild or moderate physical activities 3 or more times per week, although women were found to engage in moderate and strenuo us physical activities less frequently than men. Major barriers to fruit in take included expense (16.4%), quality (14.2%), and availability (13.2%). B arriers to vegetable intake mentioned most frequently included availability (11.4%), cost (10.4%), and quality (9.1%). Taste was the most frequently m entioned barrier to cutting intake of high-fat foods (27.9%). Lack of child care (15.8%), lack of time (14.7%), and safety concerns (14.6%) were the m ost salient barriers to regular exercise. Applications/conclusions Nutrition interventions are needed that address th e major barriers to diet change reported by Lakota adults. Efforts to incre ase physical activity should focus on Lakota women and should address the i dentified barriers to regular exercise.