"Tribal communities nationwide are working to fight the trend toward obesity and its resulting health consequences.

Nutritionists such as DeWilde and Miller work with tribes to educate members about proper diet and healthier lifestyles.

In 2008, the Indian Health Service - a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services - reported almost 500 nutritionists working at the country's 561 federally recognized tribes.

Some tribe nutritionists work as representatives for federal supplemental nutrition programs.

Though AI/ANs make up 1.6 percent of the U.S. population, the "Federal Food Safety Net" covers a disproportionately high percentage of this demographic. In 2010, 13 percent of the U.S. population was enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the food stamp program, whereas 24 percent of AI/AN households received SNAP benefits."

Get the Story:
Nutrition a Pressing Concern for Native Americans, Part II (Food Safety News 3/6)

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Series on food and nutritional problems facing Indian Country (3/5)