Key DFM Personnel

Alexandra Adams, MD, PhD - Principle Investigator
Ron Prince, MS - Project Manager

Abstract

The goal of this research was to determine the prevalence rates and contributing risk factors for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and glucose intolerance in Wisconsin American Indian children. Direct physical measurements and parental surveys provided necessary baseline prevalence data for children in grades K-2nd (aged 5-7). Data on infant obesity, maternal gestational diabetes, birth weight, length of breast feeding, and family history for children aged 0-5 were obtained from WIC, Head Start, and Tribal Clinic Records. This research provided the foundation for the development of model to explain the relationship between the familial and environmental determinants of obesity, cardiovascular risk and glucose intolerance in this high-risk population. Modeling of these determinants enabled us to partner with the Tribal communities to design a data-driven and culturally appropriate early intervention project to prevent obesity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and glucose intolerance, Healthy Children, Strong Families (HCSF).

In collaboration with Tribal Communities

• Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin
• Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, INC.

Funding Agencies

• Wisconsin State Department of Public Health
• IHS/NIH Native American Research Center for Health Grant
• Mentored Career Development (K23) Grant National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

WINGS Publications

Adams AK, Miller-Korth N, Brown D. Learning to work together: Developing academic and community research partnerships. Wisconsin Medical Journal, 2004; 103(2): 15-19.

Adams AK, Quinn RA, Prince RJ. Low recognition of childhood overweight and disease risk among American Indian caregivers. Obesity Research, 2005; 13(1):146-152.

Adams AK, Harvey HE, Prince RJ. Association of maternal smoking with overweight at age 3 y in American Indian children. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 82(2):393-398.

Adams A, Harvey H, and Brown D. Environmental and Health Constructs Inform Obesity Prevention in American Indian Communities. Obesity, In Press, 7/07.

Adams A, and Miller-Korth N. Can policy changes facilitate authentic academic and community research partnerships? Harvard Health Policy Review, In Press, 6/07.

Adams A, Prince R, and Webert H. The Wisconsin Nutrition and Growth Study (WINGS), A Participatory Research Project with Three Wisconsin Tribes. The Great Lakes Epi-Center News, 2004, 5(3): 1-3.