Transcript Document

Figure 1: Native American Mother & her
Infant
Are Nutrition Programs Like WIC
Helping Native American People Make Healthy Food Choices
Sherri Ewing University of Montana, Bridges to the Baccalaureate
Mentor: Dr. Linda EagleHeart Thomas
RESEARCH QUESTION
Is Participation In WIC Reflected In Reported Daily Food Choices of
Two groups of Native American Parents residing in Montana?
Figure3: Grandmother & grandchild
Results
Introduction
Women, Infant’s & Children
Program
Federal Guidelines
•25 years Old
•Low Income-185% at or
below $34,873 family of 4
•Nutritionally at-risk
•Pregnant / postpartum
•Child under 5 years old
•From 88,000 Women Infants
& Children to 7.3 Million
served
• 100% report Using WIC foods
•No statistical differences in REPORTED use of WIC food by either
Location
•Differences exist between Reported Use & Actual consumption
•Participants Had Higher Intake of Sugar and high Calorie foods
provided in Program
•High consumption of canned fruit juices
•Low consumption of canned vegetable juices
•Low consumption of Fish [Essential Fish oils]
Native American people are seeing a rapid increase in obesity and
diabetes in the population. There is little information about the Native
American Diet. The population suffers from cardiovascular disease,
diabetes mellitus, and obesity related diseases. In a survey conducted
by the Navajo Nation, 50% men aged 40- 59 years, and 66% of
women in all ages were considered obese. In other areas, 40% Native
and Alaska Native children are overweight. Recent research has found
that the problem begins in early childhood between the ages 2-5.
Although child obesity is not limited to Native American children we
know that Native children are overweight 13% compared to 8.6% nonNative American children. These problems are caused by a mix of
issues that include poverty, location to resources, and lack of exercise.
Government Food Distributions programs on reservations may be
through the USDA and WIC Program. The purpose of this study was
to examine the food choices and patterns of Native Americans in
Montana and their participation in programs like WIC [Women,
Infants and Children’s Program].
WIC Foods
•Infant formula
•Canned Fruit Juice
•Infant cereal (Hot or Cold)
•Milk (1%,2% and whole)
•Cheddar Cheese
•Eggs
•Dried beans/peas
•Peanut butter
•Tuna Fish--canned
•Carrots (fresh)
Discussion and Conclusions
The path leading to the health problems of Native American
Populations are interwoven. Poverty, Hunger, Malnutrition, Undernutrition, Food insecurity, Isolation, and Lack of exercise all
contribute to the problem. Government Food programs have
attempted to alleviate some of the hunger, malnutrition and undernutrition associated with poverty. This study found that although
100% of the respondents reported to participating in the WIC
program and following the guidelines, when diet was examined only
aobut 50% of the recommended foods were consumed in a week. Of
those foods that were consumed at higher percentages, most was the
high sugar and fat containing foods. The Little information about the
Native American diet continues to require further investigation into
the etiology in the rapid increase in obesity and diabetes in Native
American’s. It appears that although programs like WIC are
attempting to educate and provide adequate nutrition, food choices
continue to contribute to the ever increasing disorders of
cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and obesity related disease.
The participants reported that weekly food selections were the
Greatest in foods containing Sugar/Calories. Research has connected
the large sugar intake related to Child Obesity & Diabetes.
Additionally, evidence has shown that fresh fruits and vegetables are
more nutritionally sound that canned fruits and vegetables. The
findings of this study suggest Native American Children are checked
MORE often for blood sugar levels and weight gain. Additionally, high
sugar foods should be limited.
Materials and Methods
Participants : 2 groups 105 Native American Families
§Location 1 Western Montana-11 Males 34 Females
Age M=35.7 yrs
Education M=13.33 yrs
§Location 2 Eastern Montana -- 9 Males 23 Females
Age M=29.1 yrs
Education M=12.74 yrs
Procedures: A qualitative research design- Survey Technique was
employed. Participants were given a 50-item survey to complete.
The participants who volunteered to complete the questionnaires
were attending local area PowWows held in two locations in
Montana. The participants represented tribal people from the
state of Montana.
WIC Usage BY Location
90
80
Another figure or
Graphic
70
Literature Cited
Percentage of Use
60
Lifestyle intervention for Native American adults with diabetes in New
Mexico
http:// care.diabetesjournals.org/
50
40
Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children, With
Special Emphasis on American Indian and Alaska Native Children;
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/
30
20
The Effect of Indian or Anglo Dietary Preference on the Incidence of
Diabetes in Pima Indians; http:// care.diabetesjournals.org/
10
0
Figure 2. Mother & Infant
Cold Cereal
Carrots
Orange
Juice
Apple Juice
Peanut
Butter
Tuna
Milk
Hot Cereal PintoBeans
WIC Foods
Western
Eastern
Tomato
Juice
Acknowledgments
Research Mentor:
Dr. Linda EagleHeart Thomas, Ph.D. The University of Montana
Funding: Project Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program