title: Association between Obesity and History of Abuse among American Indians in Rural California.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore factors associated with obesity among American Indians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of American Indian adults (N=459) was conducted at 13 rural reservation sites in California. Participants responded to a survey about their health and wellness perceptions. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to assess obesity. A predictive model for BMI was built using a generalized regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Having high blood pressure and having a history of verbal abuse in childhood were significant predictors of higher BMI. Participants with high blood pressure were likely to have 3.2 units of BMI higher on average than those who do not have high blood pressure (p-value <0.0001). Similarly, those with a history of childhood verbal abuse were likely to have 1.9 units higher BMI on average compared to those with no such history. Having a history of diabetes or sexual abuse in childhood trend towards increased BMI, although not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifying childhood trauma and its impact on adult obesity rates among American Indians provides new avenues for intervention. Efforts to reduce over weight and obesity should include culturally sensitive interventions to ameliorate and repair what is lost through personal violations of stigma, abuse or neglect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, USA.
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, USA.
authors.forename: M Susan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Stemmler
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, USA.
authors.forename: Karabi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nandy
keywords: American indians; Body Mass Index (BMI); Childhood trauma; Obesity