Chronic Conditions: Native North American Nutrition and Diabetes
Indigenous heritage has been labeled a risk factor for Type II Diabetes.
Cultural and Genetic Heritage and Health
Diabetes seems to be attacking everyone in the 2010s. Two families I know are seeming opposites in nationalities, one British and the other Eastern European, but a great many in each family suffers insulin-dependent diabetes within Type II.
I know several people of a partial First Nations or Native American heritage as well that are taking insulin daily. At the same time, I know others of a range of diverse heritages (including Cherokee) that have controlled Type II Diabetes with diet and exercise. Nationality does not seem to be a deterrent in these particular cases.
Native Americans and First Nations have separate dedicated health divisions in their countries' federal governments from the "rest of the population", or perhaps in addition to the mainline departments. These peoples' Indigenous heritage has been labeled a risk factor for Type II Diabetes.
In fact, Type I Diabetes is rare, more so the farther north on the North American Continent one examines the inhabitants, in the home of the furthest northward Indigenous populations examined.
Our Indigenous Peoples Have 230% Higher Chance for Diabetes
Inuit People - National Cathedral, Washington DC
Pima Nation may have the highest rate of diabetes in the world.
Is Vitamin T to Blame?
Diabetes and Nutrition Research Background
Canada's health services report that in 1960, First Nations showed an almost 0% rate of diabetes, but the condition it was already a problem in the USA.
By the year 2010, Type II Diabetes had become an epidemic among Native North Americans from Mexico up through USA and Canada. Mexico became the "most obese" of the three countries because of what they call Vitamin T - taco culture/cuisine. Mexican children were declared the most obese in the world.
In many cites and towns outside the Golden Horseshoe on the northwest and southwest shores lake Ontario, in northern areas where transportation is more difficult, First Nations are confronted with an abundance of junk food at high prices in the grocery stores. All this contributes to developing diabetes.
Healthy foods are even higher-priced -- For example, a 2-litre of milk in Sandy Lake cost over $6.50 CND in late October 2010.
Our Indigenous Peoples Have 230% Higher Chance for Diabetes
National Insitute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Part of the NIH, this health division publishes the related risk factors for our Indigenous Peoples of North America. The risk for Type II Diabetes among these peoples is rising.
In 2004, the NIDDK reported that 40% of all adults aged 40 to 74 in America were in pre-diabetes and therefore, at higher health risk:
Indigenous Peoples were 2.3 time (230%) more likely than whites who were not Hispanic to develop Type II Diabetes and its associated higher risks of stroke and heart disease.
New health promotion education programs were put into place on Reservations around the US, including Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. They have their own Diabetes Care Center and one of the recommendations is for the overweight to lose 5 to 7% of their body weight. This small start reduces the risk significantly.
The DCC is housed in a large building with examination rooms, a physical fitness room, a patient-family education conference room, a teaching kitchen, and office space, along with a certified lab and a pharmacy.
From 2004 - 2010, some positive results have been seen from the DCC, indicating that nutrition, exercise, and a small amount of weight loss can prevent pre-diabetes from becoming Type II Diabetes.
The percentage of Native Americans from Alaska down to the American Southwest that have Type II Diabetes increases from North to south from 6.0% up to over 29%. However, one nation, the Pima Nation of the Gila River AZ suffers a 50% rate of Type II Diabetes. Pima Nation may have the highest rate of diabetes in the world.
The highest rate in Canada is in Sandy Lake, Ontario: 25%.
Diabetic Nutrition And Related Matters
- Nutrition Aids: A Myriad of Food Pyramids
A variety of Food Pyramids were developed by US and Candian Governments after 1992 and some groups still use them , instead of MyPlate.
First Nations/Native American Diabetic Programs
- American Indian/Alaska Native Programs
Learn about diabetes and community-based initiatives for American Indian and Alaska Natives. - Division of Diabetes - Programs - Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)
IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention - Canada: Type 2 Diabetes in Aboriginal Peoples
Jobs with the US American Indian Health Service (IHS)
Jobs available and relative to Native Americans in the USA stood at approximately 3,000 vacancies during Autumn 2016. Many of these positions involve diabetes prevention and treatment in a portfolio of other duties.
Highest Demand Job Titles are:
- Physician Assistant
- Pharmacist
- Dental Officer
- Nurse Practitioner (NP with the RN license)
- Medical Officer (All Specialties)
- Dental Assistant
- Medical Technologist
- Practical Nurse (LPN)
- ER Nurses
- Community Health Aides
Jobs are open across the nation with the IHS and other companies in the states of Minnesota, Florida, and Alaska as some of the top job producers.
Recommendation to North American Indigenous Peoples
- Lower the amount of fats in the diet.
- Lower the amount of sugar in the diet.
- Lower the number of calories eaten on a usual daily basis.
- Eat healthier foods overall and eliminate pop or soda.
- Exercise 30 minutes daily.
- If you are pregnant or newly delivered, breastfeed your baby to prevent diabetes in your child. Breastfed babies are LESS likely to become overweight and to have Type II Diabetes later.
- These are even more important for Native Americans in the Southwestern US States.
© 2010 Patty Inglish MS