Preventing dentures and putting aside the fry bread: A systematic review of micro, mezzo, and macro conditions for dental health and obesity interventions for Native American youth

• Main Authors: Haring, Rodney C, Wampler, Nina, Skye, Warren, Brings-Him-Back–Janis, Maxine, Battleson, Brenda L, Muramoto, Myra
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Journal of Indigenous Social Development 2014
• Subjects: obesity; dental health; oral health; childhood; youth; pediatric; intervention; Native American; American Indian; First Nations; Aboriginal; systematic review; Indian
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/jisd/article/view/63055

This systematic literature review was focused on childhood obesity and dental health interventions which have relevance to Native American communities. Childhood oral health and obesity have become significant problems across North America and among Native American Nations. Subsequently, a growing number of dental health and obesity interventions are surfacing for ethnic minority populations including Native peoples. The value and purpose of this review was to stimulate thinking about obesity and dental health intervention commonalities within micro, mezzo, and macro conditions. Two macro findings included the need for schools to be involved contributors in the intervention process and the promotion of both sensible eating and healthy drinking. Micro and mezzo results included the importance of nutrition and food preparation education for food service staff within schools; the incorporation of culturally attuned activities for physical education incorporating family, and structuring intervention programs to be multi-year.