Obesity Prevalence and Dietary Factors Among Preschool-Aged Head Start Children in Remote Alaska Native Communities: Baseline Data from the ‘‘Got Neqpiaq?’’ Study

Abstract

Background: American Indian and Alaska Native preschool-aged children experience a high prevalence of obesity, yet are underrepresented in obesity prevention research. This study examined obesity prevalence and dietary risk factors among Alaska Native preschool-aged children in southwest Alaska. Methods: The study used baseline data from ‘‘Got Neqpiaq?’’ a culturally centered multilevel intervention focused on Yup’ik Alaska Native children, aged 3–5 years, enrolled in Head Start in 12 communities in southwest Alaska (n = 155). The primary outcomes were BMI percentile, overweight, and obesity. Dietary factors of interest were measured using biomarkers: traditional food intake (nitrogen stable isotope ratio biomarker), ultraprocessed food intake (carbon stable isotope ratio biomarker), and vegetable and fruit intake (skin carotenoid status biomarker measured by the Veggie Meter). Cardiometabolic markers (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] and blood cholesterol) were also measured. Results: Among the Yup’ik preschool-aged children in the study, the median BMI percentile was 91, and the prevalence of overweight or obesity was 70%. The traditional food intake biomarker was negatively associated with BMI, whereas the ultraprocessed foods and vegetable and fruit biomarkers were not associated with BMI. HbA1c and blood cholesterol were within healthy levels. Conclusions: The burden of overweight and obesity is high among Yup’ik preschool-aged children. Traditional food intake is inversely associated with BMI, which underscores the need for culturally grounded interventions that emphasize traditional values and knowledge to support the traditional food systems in Alaska Native communities in southwest Alaska. Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03601299.