In Canada, obesity and associated chronic diseases disproportionately affect First Nations children. The objectives of this research were to assess obesity, physical activity, and perceptions of lifestyle behaviors in Cree First Nations children (5-12 years) in one Alberta reserve community. Levels of obesity (20.0%), abdominal obesity (49.5%), and physical inactivity (64.0%) were high. Most overweight and obese children were also abdominally obese (88.0%). Focus groups interviews indicated that cultural/traditional knowledge was overarching and integral to childrens understandings of health, food, and activity. Discussions revealed that family members were childrens main source of health knowledge. Explanations of the meaning of health included healthy foods and activities, respectful relationships with nature, and the absence of chronic conditions. Children preferred foods and activities they considered to be healthy. Our findings indicate the need to develop local strategies that integrate cultural/traditional practices and ensure family participation to promote healthy weights in First Nations children. / Nutrition & Metabolism
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:AEU.10048/1199 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Pigford, Ashlee-Ann |
| Contributors | Willows, Noreen D. (Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science), Ball, Geoff D.C. (Pediatrics), Farmer, Anna (Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 684151 bytes, application/pdf |
| Relation | Pigford, A.E., Willows, N.D., Sanou, D, DyckFederau, D. and Ball, G.D.C. 2009 (Conference Abstract) Levels of obesity, abdominal adiposity and physical activity for elementary aged Cree schoolchildren in Central Alberta, Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 34(3), 505., Pigford, A., Ball, G.D.C., Willows, N.D. 2010Using childrens voices to inform obesity prevention strategies: Perceptions of healthy foods and activities in First Nations children. Conference Proceedings: First Nations and Inuit Health Branchs 2nd Biennial First Nations, Inuit and Mtis Health Research Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, May 13-14, 2010., Pigford, A., Willows, N.D., Ball, G.D.C. 2010Obesity and Perceptions of Lifestyle Behaviors among First Nation Children, Conference Proceedings: 2nd Canadian Obesity Student Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, June 9-12, 2010., Pigford A, Sanou D, DyckFederau D, Ball GDC, Willows ND 2009 Physical activity and obesity in Central Albertan Cree schoolchildren, Conference Proceedings: 9th Annual National Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal Health Research, Halifax Nova Scotia, June 25-28, 2009 |
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