The Nutrition Transition in American Indians

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to examine whether a nutritional transition has occurred among American Indians (AI) by evaluating related articles and government health statistics. Findings indicate that although the primary health risk for the AI population around 1970 was undernutrition, now there is an obesity epidemic among all age groups that is associated with a loss of traditional food practices and reduced physical activity. Deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer have outpaced death from infectious disease. With abundant high-energy foods and limited physical activity, the acculturated environment has resulted in obesity and increased mortality from chronic diseases. To improve AI health and survival, the obesity epidemic must be approached in a concerted, culturally appropriate manner with encouragement of traditional foods and safe opportunities for physical activity.

Anthropometric and biochemical profiles of black south african women

“…These shifts coincide with major conversions in the general health profile (Popkin, 2006) of especially middle-and lower-income communities (Kim et al, 2000). With the nutrition transition, populations tend to move away from traditional food practices towards the consumption of diets higher in energy (Compher, 2006), more diverse diets, and the consumption of more refined grains, saturated fat and sugar (Popkin, 1994). Literature indicates that South African and other population groups who formed part of the nutrition transition have become increasingly vulnerable to developing chronic diseases (Compher, 2006;Steyn et al, 1997;Drewnowski & Popkin, 1997;Temple et al, 2001;Macintyre et al, 2002) such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.…”

“…With the nutrition transition, populations tend to move away from traditional food practices towards the consumption of diets higher in energy (Compher, 2006), more diverse diets, and the consumption of more refined grains, saturated fat and sugar (Popkin, 1994). Literature indicates that South African and other population groups who formed part of the nutrition transition have become increasingly vulnerable to developing chronic diseases (Compher, 2006;Steyn et al, 1997;Drewnowski & Popkin, 1997;Temple et al, 2001;Macintyre et al, 2002) such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Albertse, Neethling and De Villiers (1990) reported that the diet of rural Zulu women in South Africa differs considerably from that of urban Zulu women, with the rural diet composed of 69% carbohydrates, 17% fat, 13% protein and 37 g of fibre per day, compared with 50% carbohydrates, 31% fat, 16% protein and 14 g of fibre in the daily diet of urban Zulu women.…”

Food insecurity and household eating patterns among vulnerable American-Indian families: associations with caregiver and food consumption characteristics

“…Diet and activity patterns of AI have changed dramatically in the past three generations. Traditional foods, such as wild game, nuts, fruits and berries, have been replaced by less diverse, processed commodities and convenience foods (4,5) . Thus, in rural AI communities, access to healthy, nutritious foods is a major barrier precipitating widespread public health effects from poor nutrition and food insecurity (6,7) .…”

Patterns of Food Consumption are Associated with Obesity, Self-Reported Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Five American Indian Communities

“…The intake of fat (Quandt et al 2009), saturated fat (Eilat-Adar et al 2009), cholesterol and sodium exceed dietary guidelines among this population (Fialkowski et al 2010). These findings might be due to the increased consumption of energy-dense convenience junk foods and the decreased consumption of traditional foods (Compher 2006). Ebbesson and colleagues (2007) found a correlation between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease among AI (Ebbesson et al 2007).…”