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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 #188969
Title: HEALTH, LIFESTYLE, FOOD INSECURITY AND ACCULTURATION FACTORS RELATED TO DEPRESSION IN NORTHERN PLAINS INDIANS

Author
item GRAY, JACQUELINE - UNIV OF NORTH DAKOTA
item Penland, James
item KNUDSON, ALANA - UNIV OF NORTH DAKOTA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2006
Publication Date: 5/17/2006
Citation: Gray, J.S., Penland, J.G., Knudson, A.D. 2006. Health, lifestyle, food insecurity and acculturation factors related to depression in Northern Plains Indians [abstract]. Presented by Jacqueline S. Gray at the National Rural Health Association Meeting. Reno, NV. May 17-19, 2006.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: American Indians (AI) and Alaska Natives are among the most impoverished of today’s minority groups and one of the most heterogeneous with over 550 federally recognized tribes and villages (DHHS, 2001). The diversity and small size of tribes, and the rural and isolated locations of reservations, often limit needed health research. Depression is estimated to be the leading cause of disability worldwide (Murray and Lopez, 1996), and its presence on reservations is thought to be pervasive. American Indians (AI) suffer disproportionately from depression and a per capita suicide rate 247% the national average. The Aberdeen Area of Indian Health Service made up of Northern Plains Indian Tribes, is second only to Alaska in suicide rate among AI. While 12% of the United States population in 1995 experienced some degree of food insecurity and approximately 4% experienced either moderate or severe hunger, the AI in this study indicated that 26% experienced some degree of food insecurity and over 10% experienced either moderate or severe hunger. In addition, food insecurity was highly correlated with other mental and physical health issues and a low quality of life. The relationships between depression and physical health and fitness, dietary intakes, food insecurity and cultural identification were examined in northern plains Indians. Participants were 458 AI attending summer powwows and health conferences at 5 reservations and 3 tribal colleges in the Northern Plains. Depression, health and fitness, dietary intakes, food insecurity and cultural identification were measured with questionnaires, while height, weight, and blood pressure were measured directly. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were negatively related to reported self (p=0.0005) and family (p<0.0001) health, and amount of exercise compared to peers (p=0.0003). BDI-II scores were positively but moderately related to body mass index in males (p<.04) and females (p<0.08); dietary cholesterol (p<0.05), but not total caloric intake; and, to food insecurity (p<0.0001). BDI-II scores were inversely related to identification with traditional Native culture and values (0<0.002). Bivariate correlations showed that age, body mass index, cultural identity, and food insecurity are related to depression differently in males and females. Regression analysis showed that the strongest predictors of depression in both sexes were the Global Severity Index of the SCL-90-R (p<0.0001) and quality of life (p<0.0001). However, in women, but not men, American Indian cultural identity was negatively (p<0.03) and body mass index was positively (p<0.03) associated with depression. Findings suggest that multiple health, nutrition, socioeconomic, and cultural factors be considered when designing programs to prevent and treat depression in AI. Co-morbidity of depression, generalized distress, low socioeconomic factors, multiple chronic health problems, and food insecurity are common within the sample. These findings emphasize the need to consider multiple health, nutrition, socioeconomic, and cultural factors when designing programs to prevent and treat depression among AI.