Acknowledgments Research Mentor: Dr. Linda EagleHeart-Thomas Funding: The Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program, The University of Montana Special Thanks go out to Henry Big Throat and Red Crow Community College Introduction  Diets reflect age, stages of development, food habits, and other individual traits.  Studies show links between dietary patterns and illness.(2)  These links show the role that diet plays in chronic diseases.  What we eat can lead to:  premature disability and mortality:  to obesity,  heart disease,  type 2 diabetes,  degenerate arthritis, and other illnesses.  A balanced diet promotes health and prevents disease. Abstract  A diet characterized by high intakes of processed meat refined grain products, snacks & sweets, French fries, and pizza, Is believed to contribute to the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the world.(1)  The current obesity epidemic is a continued decline in “activity” (daily energy expenditure) that has not been matched by an intake of “food” (equivalent reduction in energy).  The epidemic of diabetes, in young Native people is associated with changes in physical activity and nutrition.  The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically as traditional lifestyles have been abandoned in favor to Westernization. Materials and Methods  A survey was conducted in two locations throughout Montana.  The survey was conducted randomly and consisted of 21 questions.  Participants: 2 groups of Native American Families (105)  Location 1- Western Montana Reservation (58) - # Males (11) - # Females (47) - Age (35.7) - Years of Education (13.33)  Location 2-Eastern Montana Reservation (47) - # Males (9) - # Females (38) - Age (29.1) - Years of Education (12.74) Results  Younger parents with minimal education, feed their children more junk food than older parents.  Younger parents are less likely to feed their children traditional foods.  Eastern Montanan families more likely to feed their children traditional foods. (Fig 2) Conclusions  Implications of findings suggest both diet and physical activity have changed for many members of American Indian and Alaska Native groups over the past several decades.  Diets are higher in fat and calories than traditional diets; physical activity has decreased. Changes in diet and physical activity are associated with the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Bad food habits are contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes.  Bad food habits are contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes.  Diabetes mellitus is one of the most serious health challenges facing American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States today. The disease is very common in many tribes, morbidity and mortality from diabetes can be severe. (Fig 1) Contributions of Foods to Growth & Development in Native American Children Literature Cited Yiqing Song, MD, et al. “A Prospective Study of Red Meat Consumption and Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women” 27(9): , 2004.Yiqing Song, MD, et al. “A Prospective Study of Red Meat Consumption and Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women” 27(9): , iew/languageId=1000/assetId=010001iew/languageId=1000/assetId=010001iew/languageId=1000/assetId= americans.jsp/ americans.jsp/ americans.jsp/ americans.jsp/ Nicole Tailfeathers Project BRIDGES University of Montana, Mentor: Dr.Linda EagleHeart-Thomas Figure 1-Table of childhood disorders per 1000 Map of the Indian Reservations in Montana Artwork by Gerald Tailfeathers Figure 2: Traditional Food Choices by Location IDDM-Insulin Dependant Diabetes Metellius