Health and lifestyle among Ute Native American elders

A basic health and lifestyle questionnaire was given to a convenience sample of 103 Ute elders, age 50 and older. Fifty-three percent reported being diagnosed with diabetes. The mean BMI (body mass index) was 33.31 (SD = 8.72). For descriptive purposes, BMI was divided into three categories: less than 25, 25--29.99, 30 or above. Based on this survey, the Ute Tribe should focus future wellness programs on prevention and control of diabetes and obesity among their tribe. Prevention for these chronic diseases needs to begin with the youth as well as with the older members of the tribe. Currently, the Ute tribe has two programs to treat and prevent diabetes among their tribe. The Diabetes Prevention and Control Program is a clinic to provide intervention for those Ute members with diabetes. It also provides a small gym furnished with exercise equipment for members of the tribe to use at no cost to them. The other program for the youth of the tribe teaches about the importance of nutrition and exercise in their lifestyles. Future programs should expand upon existing programs in attempts to reach the whole tribe. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...