Alaska Native Elders’ perspectives on dietary patterns in rural, remote communities

Abstract

Background Given the increasing rates of childhood obesity in Alaska Native children and the understanding that the most effective interventions are informed by and reflect the cultural knowledge of the community in which they are implemented, this project sought to gather the wisdom of local Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska around how to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Methods Perspectives were sought through the use of semi-structured focus groups, which were completed in person in twelve communities. All conversations were recorded, translated, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative approach, where key themes were identified. Results Elders provided a clear and consistent recollection of what their life looked like when they were young and expressed their perspectives related to maintaining a healthy and traditional lifestyle. The key themes the Elders discussed included an emphasis on the nutritional and cultural benefits of traditional foods; concerns around changing dietary patterns such as the consumption of processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages; and concerns on the time and use of screens. Elders also expressed a desire to help younger generations learn traditional subsistence practices. Conclusions The risk of obesity in Alaska Native children is high and intervention efforts should be grounded in local knowledge and values. The perspectives from Yup’ik and Cup’ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area of Alaska provide a better understanding on local views of how to maintain a healthy diet, physical activities, and traditional values.

Plan estratégico de desarrollo para una comunidad totonaca en México

“…Asimismo, respetan y cuidan los alimentos nativos de su comunidad y 100% consideró importante incluirlos en la dieta diaria. Algunos estudios han demostrado que el uso de alimentos nativos incluye beneficios nutricionales y culturales, por lo que se pone de manifiesto la preocupación de los cambios de patrones dietéticos (Walch et al, 2021). De los pobladores de la comunidad Popoloca Todos Santos Almolonga, Puebla, México, 36% mencionaron que las especies nativas combaten y previenen enfermedades (Santos et al, 2019).…”

Impact of Assistance Programs on Indigenous Ways of Life in 12 Rural Remote Western Alaska Native Communities: Elder Perspectives Shared in Formative Work for the “Got Neqpiaq?” Project

“…Guided by this ecologically based Yup’ik model, we sought AN Elder advice and perspectives on what lessons are important for preschool age children to learn to live well in their communities. Much of this formative work was reported previously [ 27 ]. In “Got Neqpiaq?” (the name selected by Yup’ik staff in the 12 participating communities for the project, which translates to “Got Real Food?”), the information gathered from Elders will guide the elements of traditional teaching (e.g.…”

Alaska Native Parents' Decision-Making About Food, Beverages, and Screen Time for Young Children

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] This dietary change is accompanied by decreases in traditional practices (eg, hunting, fishing, gathering, preserving, and sharing food) forming the backbone of AN culture. Recent discussions with AN Elders 26 (hereafter Elders) and interviews with storekeepers 27 in rural, remote communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region of Western Alaska raise concerns over declining subsistence practices and lifeways among younger AN families and loss of traditional knowledge about local/regional food sources. A decrease in exposure to subsistence foods and physical activity has coincided with poorer health status and an increase in childhood obesity.…”

“…However, very few of these studies include AIAN children or communities. Having previously gathered and analyzed perspectives of Elders and storekeepers in 12 rural, remote Y-K communities, 26,27 we sought to learn what influences parents' decisions about their children's foods, beverages, and physical activities in these communities.…”

“…In contrast, subsistence foods require traditional knowledge of the region; physical activity, skill, and equipment for hunting, fishing, or gathering, butchering, processing, preparing, and preserving foods from the local environment. Young children establish food preferences and develop eating habits that affect lifelong behaviors,36 a message echoed by Elders 26. If public health providers are to improve health outcomes, it is necessary to understand how parents and caregivers can help children adopt healthy lifestyle habits.…”