1. WHOLE GRAINS in Urban Native American Communities
By Kinsey Rohling, Jennifer Hager, Elizabeth Graven, Katelyn Broz

2. Audience Native American youth in the Twin Cities area
39% of Native American ages 5-18 are overweight or obese

3. Usage and Knowledge Lowest among American Indian adolescents
Majority of whole grains from:
Yeast breads
Ready-to-eat cereals
Popcorn
Students receive their most substantial meal at school

4. Food Environment
Poor diet for Native Americans in urban areas has resulted in a high risk of nutrition related disease such as:
CVD (leading cause of death)
Type II Diabetes
Obesity

5. Past Effort School Programs WIC and SNAP Little Earth of United Tribes
Whole grains in school lunches
Nutrition classes
WIC and SNAP
Less processed and canned foods; more whole grains to Native American communities
Little Earth of United Tribes
Type II Diabetes Prevention Program

6. Socioecological Model
Public Policy
Recommendations
Community
Availability
Education
Little Earth Community Center
Society
Convenience
Individual
Change

7. Primary Gap in Whole Grain Consumption
Lack of knowledge of healthy, whole grain options and the health benefits derived from a whole grain, heart healthy diet.
Goal: To lower the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in Native American children through increasing their consumption and knowledge of whole grains.
Key Partners: Little Earth United Tribes community, diabetes educator, dieticians/nutritionists, and chefs

8. Tool: Cooking with Whole Grains
Teaching Native American youth to cook healthy and desirable food rich in whole grains
provides the cornerstone to
a balanced diet.