Obesity in American-Indian children: prevalence, consequences, and prevention.
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.
Story
Mary
M
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. story@epi.umn.edu
Stevens
June
J
Himes
John
J
Stone
Elaine
E
Rock
Bonnie Holy
BH
Ethelbah
Becky
B
Davis
Sally
S
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology