Obesogenic Cultural Drift and Nutritional Transition

Abstract

Social ecology models applied to eating behaviors and health outcomes in low-income urban areas have focused on food deserts and other structural constraints to healthier eating. This study expands that work by identifying culturally specific constraints on food behaviors among low-income urban Native Americans. Exposure to commodities packages supplied by the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations has created a new conception of what is meant by “traditional food,” creating a barrier to change. However, this study identifies opportunities to expand the institutional role of urban Indian Centers, allowing for culturally sensitive interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of obesogenic cultural drift.