By Tom Robertson, Minnesota Public Radio News

A high percentage of Native American Indians are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a disease linked to obesity. The growing concern is that obesity is increasing among Native children. Iris Sherer, a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and a diabetic states,

“Obesity and diabetes used to be considered adult problems. But increasingly they affect more of the nation’s young people. In the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates in the United States have tripled. Nearly a third of children are overweight or obese. The rate is even higher among Native American children, approaching 50 percent.”

Roxanne Robinson, who is the coordinator of the Cass Lake Hospital Diabetes Center, explains the seriousness of the situation.

“When a person has Type 2 diabetes, their body does not produce enough insulin. Without insulin, blood sugars get too high. Diabetes can be controlled with insulin injections, exercise and a healthy diet. But if left unchecked, the condition can lead to kidney problems, amputations, and blindness.”

The positive news is that there are signs of improvements. One reason for this improvement is that tribal members (especially women) from various tribes are creating support groups in Indian communities with the help of health educators. These groups educate tribal members about the seriousness of unhealthy eating, and ways to take better care of themselves, and of their children.

Another reason for the improvement among tribal members involve organizations such as the  “Bemidji-based Indigenous Environmental Network, which obtained a $250,000 grant for a multi-pronged approach to diabetes prevention.”

Other organizations included are the Ojibwe Language Immersion Program, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Steve Rith-Najarian a diabetes expert with the federal Indian Health Service in Bemidji states,

“Diabetes rates among Native Americans appear to be stabilizing… The rates of kidney complications and the need for dialysis are on the decline. Limb amputations that were once commonplace in Indian communities have declined on some reservations by as much as 80 percent…”

The article continues to provide interesting and very useful information. It includes a short historical report about American Indians and their original diets.

I highly recommend (and urge) everyone to read this article.

A big plus for Minnesota Public Radio! Thanks for helping to spread the word.

Tags: children, diabetes, Health Services, insulin, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, obesity