Abstract
BackgroundGiven the increasing rates of childhood obesity in Alaska Native children and the understanding that the most effective interventions are informed by and reflect the cultural knowledge of the community in which they are implemented, this project sought to gather the wisdom of local Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska around how to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle.MethodsPerspectives were sought through the use of semi-structured focus groups, which were completed in person in twelve communities. All conversations were recorded, translated, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative approach, where key themes were identified.ResultsElders provided a clear and consistent recollection of what their life looked like when they were young and expressed their perspectives related to maintaining a healthy and traditional lifestyle. The key themes the Elders discussed included an emphasis on the nutritional and cultural benefits of traditional foods; concerns around changing dietary patterns such as the consumption of processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages; and concerns on the time and use of screens. Elders also expressed a desire to help younger generations learn traditional subsistence practices.ConclusionsThe risk of obesity in Alaska Native children is high and intervention efforts should be grounded in local knowledge and values. The perspectives from Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area of Alaska provide a better understanding on local views of how to maintain a healthy diet, physical activities, and traditional values.
Highlights
Given the increasing rates of childhood obesity in Alaska Native children and the understanding that the most effective interventions are informed by and reflect the cultural knowledge of the community in which they are implemented, this project sought to gather the wisdom of local Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the YukonKuskokwim region of Alaska around how to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle
Research suggests that obesity prevention efforts are most effective in Indigenous communities when they are aligned with the cultural values, norms, and strengths of the local nutrition environment [10,11,12]
To Elders, traditional foods are synonymous with healthy foods and what people should be eating
Summary
Given the increasing rates of childhood obesity in Alaska Native children and the understanding that the most effective interventions are informed by and reflect the cultural knowledge of the community in which they are implemented, this project sought to gather the wisdom of local Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the YukonKuskokwim region of Alaska around how to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. In two cohort studies conducted within Alaska’s Y-K region during 2004–2010, approximately 40% of Alaska Native (AN) adults were obese [9]. These data collectively emphasize the importance of establishing healthy eating and physical activity practices at an early age as the primary prevention method for obesity in adulthood. Research suggests that obesity prevention efforts are most effective in Indigenous communities when they are aligned with the cultural values, norms, and strengths of the local nutrition environment [10,11,12]. The only known successful, small-scale, nutrition intervention conducted and published in the Y-K region, home to AN Yup’ik and Cup’ik people, intentionally integrated cultural values, norms, and strengths of the local nutrition environment [15]
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