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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225790
Title: Community Needs and Barriers to Healthy Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in a Native American Reservation

Author
item Colby, Sarah
item Follett, Jennifer
item MCDONALD, LEANDER - SPIRIT LAKE PLANNING

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2008
Publication Date: 8/15/2008
Citation: Colby, S.E., Follett, J.R., Mcdonald, L.R. 2008. Community Needs and Barriers to Healthy Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in a Native American Reservation. [ Abstract]. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 40(4):S75.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Identify unique cultural needs, priorities, program delivery preferences and barriers to achieving a healthy diet and lifestyle in one Native American community. DESIGN: A novel modified nominal group technique (NGT). SETTING: Four community district’s recreation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Three age groups (Elders, adults and youth) (N=114). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Focus groups consisted on average of ten participants (5 randomly selected and 5 snowball selections). Participants listed, discussed, ranked and then scored their responses to four questions using a modified NGT. ANALYSIS: A formula using ranking and scoring data was used to produce an ordinal list of proportionally identified community concerns, barriers and preferences. RESULTS: The biggest concerns for the overall community were: substance abuse, housing, recreation, employment, and emergency response time. Barriers to healthy eating included: taste, cost, time, availability, and knowledge. Barriers to physical activity included: health problems, motivation, time, available activities, and lack of fitness centers. Preferred health program strategies/ elements appropriate for inclusion in health program design included: improve the recreation center, provide workshops and activities that include the entire family, offer nutrition programs, offer outdoor activities, and offer parenting programs. CONCLUSION: Culturally appropriate interventions to address identified barriers in this community should be designed to include education for the entire family and offered at improved recreation facilities.