Promotion of a Healthy Weight Among Navajo Nation Women.infant and Children Families

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify three activities to use with paraprofessionals in promoting a healthy weight for children enrolled in the Navajo Nation Women, Infant and Children (WIC)programHigh weight-for-height (>95th percentile) has increased over the last twelve years in the Navajo Nation's infants and children. Out of 28,772 records examined by the 1994 CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System for the Navajo Nation, high weight-for-height is currently 11.7% which is above the national average and below Year 2000 goals. In the Navajo Nation (WIC) program, high weight-for-height is the second highest pediatric risk. Within the Shiprock region, the most recent assessment of high weight-for-height was 17.7% in infants and 22.8% in children. A need to provide appropriate nutrition intervention and counseling within the family to monitor the rate of weight gain while maintaining adequate calories for growth and a healthy weight is critical. The WIC program provides an excellent opportunity to complement and supplement childrens' home-based food experiences. Since a large portion of nutrition education is provided by paraprofessionals within the WIC program, a nutrition education workshop provided current research and methods to be used in the Navajo Nation WIC clinics for promoting a healthy weight within the WIC family. Concepts presented ranged from where food comes from, how foods are prepared and what foods are healthy were presented. Activities included: parent/child responsibilities, case studies/care plans, fat, fiber and weight control activities, grocery shopping tips/tours, food guide py ramid games and kitchen activities for kids were promoted. There is a need for Navajo specific education material for promoting a healthy weight.