ABSTRACT
Background American Indians have one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. However, there is minimal research that explores the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of American Indians regarding nutrition, health and exercise.
Objective This study examines the perceptions of nutrition and health among WIC participants and American Indian leaders in four areas of Arizona: Phoenix urban Indian community, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community, White Mountain Apache Nation, and the Pascua Yaqui Nation in Tucson.
Methods Three focus groups were held in each of the three of the four study sites and interviews are in process of the tribal leaders from these sites. Thirty-three people participated in the three focus groups which were taped, transcribed and analyzed by research assistants and the social scientist.
Results Preliminary results of the parent focus groups indicate that the majority of WIC parents are well informed about the correct nutrition and exercise for their children. However, because of lifestyle circumstances such as multiple families and/or extended families, caretakers, working parent(s) divorced parents, children are exposed to differing diets and mixed messages on nutrition and exercise.
Conclusion Preliminary results indicate that parents from the four sites are knowledgeable about health and nutrition and are very concerned about the health and welfare of their children. However, many parents do not have the resources and time to devote to meeting these needs. Furthermore, the results indicate that WIC and other health related programs must coordinate their programs and gear them to fit the unique lifestyles of the families they serve.
Learning Objectives: The study attempts to examine the causes of unhealthy lifestyles in children between the ages of infancy to 5 years. It also examines intervention activities and suggestions for enhancing the WIC program in the three study sites.
Keywords: Child Health, American Indians
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.