Authors: Di Noia J, Schinke SP, Contento IR

Publication Year: 2005

Last Updated: 2016-02-08

Journal: Ethnicity & Disease

Keywords: morbidity; mortality; cancer; lifestyle habits; diet; Native American youths; northeaster U.S.; nutrition education; behavior change programs

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: A leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Native Americans, cancer is largely preventable through lifestyle habits. Ranked high among those habits is a diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Because Native Americans are not included in national nutritional monitoring systems, limited data exist on the cancer-related dietary habits of this population. To bridge this gap, this study measured the eating patterns of Native American youths in the northeastern United States.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Urban Indian centers and tribal and reservation settings located in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine.

PARTICIPANTS: 191 self-identified Native American parents of children between 8 and 14 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of intake of foods recommended for inclusion in or omission from a diet to reduce cancer risk.

RESULTS: Dietary patterns among Native American youths differed from a national US sample and varied between youths in reservation and non-reservation settings.

CONCLUSIONS: A need exists for nutrition education and behavior change programs that reflect the culturally specific eating habits of the indigenous peoples of the Northeast. Ideally, developing nutrition curricula for specific communities will be done in cooperation with these communities and acknowledge barriers that may limit Native Americans' access to healthful foods.

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Source: Link to Original Article.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16259497/