ASPO Abstracts
Effects of a One-week Intensive Health Camp on Dietary Behaviors among American Indian Youth
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Background: American Indians (AI) suffer the highest rates of diabetes in the U.S.; a chronic disease that is
increasingly prevalent among AI children and is associated with increased risk of cancer. Toward developing
effective means to reduce diabetes and cancer burden in this population, a summer camp was developed to
improve disease risk-reducing behaviors among AI youth in Arizona. Purpose: To examine the efficacy of a one
week intensive health camp on dietary behaviors among AI youth and to examine if results vary by sex. Methods:
AI children ages 10 to 15 years from tribes across Arizona are invited to a one week intensive residential camp.
Kids participate in a week of experiential learning focused on healthy eating and physical activity. An in-depth
assessment is performed to track progress. 24h dietary recalls are collected by trained staff before and after the
camp. T-tests were conducted to analyze differences in mean consumption of energy (kcals/day), total fat (g/day),
saturated fat (g/day), total fiber (g/day), added sugars (g/day), and servings of fruit and vegetables (svg/day) pre-
and post-camp. Results: A total of 313 dietary recalls were collected as a result of a Tribal-University partnership.
Matched diet recalls for 45 children (boys=19, girls=26) were included in the current analysis. Results showed a
statistically significant decrease in mean energy intake (P-value = 0.028), total fat (P-value = 0.004), and saturated
fat (P-value = 0.026). No significant difference was seen for total fiber intake (P-value = 0.136), added sugars (P-
value =0.267), fruit intake (P-value = 0.82) and vegetable intake (P-value = 0 .224). When examining differences
by sex, a statistically significant decrease for energy (P-value = 0.014), total fat (P-value = 0.008), and added
sugars (P-value = 0.027) was observed among boys. No statistical significant results were found among girls.
Conclusion: The American Indian health camp was effective at reducing total energy intake (kcals/day), total fat
(g/day), and saturated fat (g/day), among American Indian children ages 10-15 years. When stratifying by sex, the
camp was more effective at improving energy intake, total fat, and added sugar eating choices among boys as
compared to girls.
Keywords: American Indian, Youth, Diabetes, Cancer, Diet