Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2003
ReviewObesity in American-Indian children: prevalence, consequences, and prevention.
American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesity. The health risks associated with obesity are numerous and include Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and respiratory problems. Obesity has become a major health problem in American Indians only in the past few generations and it is believed to be associated with the relative abundance of high-fat, high-calorie foods and the rapid change from active to sedentary lifestyles. ⋯ To be effective, educational and environmental interventions must be developed with full participation of the American-Indian communities.