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On the T.R.A.I.L. (Together Raising Awareness
for Indian Life) to Diabetes Prevention
More than one in three Native American children born in 2000 will likely be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime, according to the Indian Health Service. According to the Indian Health Service (IHS),
diabetes rates among American Indian/Alaska Native youth,
Type 2 diabetes has been reported in American Indian youth
as young as
4 years of age. IHS also reports that mortality
rates for diabetes are significantly higher for American Indians
(420%) compared to the U.S. general population.
In 2003, National Congress of American Indians
(NCAI), Indian Health Service (IHS), Boys & Girls Clubs
of America (BGCA), and Nike, Inc., initiated a prevention
program aimed at reducing the onset of diabetes among Native
American youth. The program – On the T.R.A.I.L. (Together
Raising Awareness for Indian Life) to Diabetes Prevention – is an innovative combination of physical, educational and
nutritional activities.
 T.R.A.I.L.
is a three-month (12 session) program that
provides youth with a comprehensive understanding of healthy
lifestyles in order to prevent diabetes. The program is presented
with four themes: About ME and My Health; Diabetes and
Nutrition; Making Smart Food Choices and Sharing Knowledge
With Others.
Woven throughout the program are self-esteem
and prevention activities utilized by BGCA, including contributions
from the National programs SMART
Moves and Act SMART. Club members draw from
Tribal traditions and history to learn about nutrition, food
choices, media influences and the impact of diabetes.
 The
program also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and community
service. Participants apply decision-making and goal setting
skills in the Walking Challenge, and engage in service projects
to improve healthy lifestyles in their communities. Community
and family members participate in activities with the elementary
aged Club members.
A generous product donation from Nike, Inc.
provides the program participants with numerous benefits.
These motivate members to achieve their goals and promote
physical activity. The Club sites are implementing the Nike Let Me Play program to foster Club-wide participation in fun physical
activities and games.
T.R.A.I.L. is currently funded at 40 participating
Clubs located in 18 states. Each of the 40 Native American
Boys & Girls Club sites received the following to implement
the T.R.A.I.L. program:
- Pass-through grant from NCAI to
fund program operations (including part-time staff person
and program training) for one year
- Evaluated program curriculum, training
and on-going technical assistance
For a list of grantee sites, click here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Kristen Lichtenwalner
at FirstPic, Inc. at 1-866-NA-CLUBS or KLichtenwalner@firstpic.org
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