American Indian people are hit harder by obesity and its long term consequences than any other group of people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that after twenty years of increases, obesity rates are finally leveling off for children, and for some groups declining slightly. But this doesn’t apply to Indian children. It is still getting worse.
And people in Indian communities know what obesity and diabetes do to adults. It is unusual to go to a large gathering and not see at least one person who has a leg amputated due to diabetes. The costs in money and time to tribal enterprises due to the sicknesses stemming from overweight are huge. The life expectancy for Indian adults is nearly 3 ½ years less than the average American citizen. In 2009, 16% of adult Indians were diagnosed with diabetes, which is more than twice the rate for white Americans.
But Indian people have strength in their families and strength in their communities, and that can be a powerful force. Healthy Children, Strong Families tries to build on these strengths to help families help themselves to better health and a better for their children.