BRAID-Kids : BRAID-Kids final project report

A team from the University of Alberta has been visiting and working with Driftpile First Nation since 2002 (10 years), at the request of the Community, who was concerned about the increasing prevalence of diabetes and its complications amongst its members. The Community graciously collaborated on efforts to screen and counsel most adults and many youth between 2002 and 2005, and conceived "BRAID-Kids" as an attempt to undertake preventive action in the children. The results showed successful implementation of many preventive activities and (modest) improvements in aerobic fitness in a small number of children, but overall: Poor nutrition and physical inactivity continue to undermine the health of Driftpile First Nation's children and adolescents; High rates of obesity remain a problem, putting many Driftpile First Nation's children at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in later life; High blood pressure in children may be emerging as a problem.