Kelsey Hunter, Sarah Chatter, Vernessa Martinez, George Boll

Sponsor or Client: 

Title:

The Implications of Food Insecurity on Diabetes and Obesity Rates in Native American Southwestern Tribes.

Abstract:

The rates of diabetes in the U.S. have been on the rise in the last decade. However, diabetes and obesity were diagnosed in Native American populations at twice the rate among non-Hispanic white adults. Stemming factors associated with the high prevalence of diabetes and obesity include poverty, education levels, historical trauma, and food insecurity. The issue of distance often arises in connection with Indigenous tribes and having to travel long distances to grocery stores and food supply locations. These far distances cause people to rely on drug stores, which do not contain proper produce or food supply for communities. Healthy and nutritional food also remains more expensive. In addition, historical assimilation has negatively impacted the health and well-being of tribal food systems, which also hinders food access.
The food desert prevalence in tribal communities, as well as the overwhelming rates of diabetes and obesity, is a health disparity that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.