“Seven Generations of Health: A Transgenerational Approach to Human Nutrition and Obesity Intervention in Indian Country” is a collaborative effort among:

• Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI)
• Centers for Disease Control
• Indian Health Service
• American Indian Research and Education Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and
• Office of Native American Diabetes Program at the University of New Mexico

The project has two primary goals:

1. To develop and disseminate accurate, culturally relevant information about nutrition, exercise and obesity prevention throughout Indian Country as a means to eliminate health disparities
2. To establish community-based infrastructures for life-long healthy lifestyles in four Native American communities.

Peer-educators, trained through a Train the Trainer Institute at SIPI, will facilitate Healthy Lifestyle Clubs at each of four sites. The Clubs will provide support for community members through a variety of activities that reflect the needs of the individual sites.

The project integrates research, education and extension as a means to unify and modify existing health programs and curricula into an effective model for community-based Healthy Lifestyle Clubs in Native American communities, through extensive collaboration among Native American communities, institutions of higher learning, health agencies, health educators, curriculum specialists and community peer educators assures content accuracy and cultural relevance. The project investigates the effectiveness of community-based support groups in the intervention of obesity on a wide scale.

A variety of content delivery methods include health-related workshops and short courses at community sites and via distance education, community-based activities directed by the peer-educators, newsletters, videotapes, a website and CD-ROMs. Collaboration with existing health and education programs increases the project’s impact on Tribal communities throughout the nation.

Family Extension & Education Program