Diabetes and Indian children

(Locust Grove-AP) -- A new report urges a community approach to preventing diabetes in Indian children. <br><br>Oklahoma tribes are already doing that through public schools. <br><br>A grant from the Cherokee

Monday, October 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Locust Grove-AP) -- A new report urges a community approach to preventing diabetes in Indian children.

Oklahoma tribes are already doing that through public schools.

A grant from the Cherokee Nation paid for new hurdles on the track at Locust Grove and heart rate monitors in gym classes.

It also paid for the laptop that a physical education teacher uses to track the fitness of more than 600 pupils.

Studies have shown that American Indian and Alaskan Native children have a higher rate than other ethnicities of Type Two diabetes, once known as adult-onset diabetes.

Officials say obesity and a lack of exercise are the two most important prevention factors.

The report was published today in the October issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.