Obesity prevention programs, especially for children, are urgently needed in Canada's First Nations communities, according to a new report.
Obesity prevention programs, especially for children, are urgently needed in Canada's First Nations communities, according to a new report.
"The health status of Aboriginal Peoples is profoundly different from that of the general Canadian population," it says, pointing to high rates of obesity and the diseases it can cause.
Hypertension and heart disease among aboriginals is described as a "full-blown cardiovascular crisis." And type 2 diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure, blindness and amputations, is "epidemic." The disease is three to five times more common among aboriginals than in the general population, occurs earlier life and tends to have more severe side effects.
"This ominous chronic disease profile among Aboriginal People in Canada highlights an urgent need for effective, culturally appropriate obesity prevention strategies," says the report by three researchers who work closely with First Nations communities.
They say obesity prevention efforts should focus predominantly on children given the importance of reducing risk factors early in life. Prenatal health, encouraging breastfeeding and improving nutrition in early childhood are listed as priorities.
Obesity prevention programs, especially for children, are urgently needed in Canada's First Nations communities, according to a new report.
"The health status of Aboriginal Peoples is profoundly different from that of the general Canadian population," it says, pointing to high rates of obesity and the diseases it can cause.
Hypertension and heart disease among aboriginals is described as a "full-blown cardiovascular crisis." And type 2 diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure, blindness and amputations, is "epidemic." The disease is three to five times more common among aboriginals than in the general population, occurs earlier life and tends to have more severe side effects.
"This ominous chronic disease profile among Aboriginal People in Canada highlights an urgent need for effective, culturally appropriate obesity prevention strategies," says the report by three researchers who work closely with First Nations communities.
They say obesity prevention efforts should focus predominantly on children given the importance of reducing risk factors early in life. Prenatal health, encouraging breastfeeding and improving nutrition in early childhood are listed as priorities.
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