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Purpose: Little is known about obesity-related health issues among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations., Approach: A large cohort of AIAN people was assembled to evaluate factors associated with health., Setting: The study was conducted in Alaska and on the Navajo Nation., Participants: A total of 11,293 AIAN people were included., Methods: We present data for body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and waist circumference (cm) to evaluate obesity-related health factors., Results: Overall, 32.4% of the population were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), 47.1% were obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2), and 21.4% were very obese (BMI, > or = 35 kg/m2). A waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men and greater than 88 cm for women was observed for 41.7% of men and 78.3% of women. Obese people were more likely to perceive their health as fair/poor than nonobese participants (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.91; 95% CI, 1.71-2.14). Participants younger than 30 years were three times more likely to perceive their health as being fair or poor when their BMI results were 35 or greater compared with those whose BMI results were less than 25 kg/m2. A larger BMI was associated with having multiple medical conditions, fewer hours of vigorous activity, and more hours of television watching., Conclusions: Given the high rates of obesity in AIAN populations and the association of obesity with other health conditions, it is important to reduce obesity among AIAN people.

Purpose: Assessment of self-reported physical activity (PA) and effects on health measures., Design: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cohort study., Setting: Education and Research Towards Health study participants from Alaska and the Southwestern United States enrolled from 2004 to 2007., Subjects: Total of 10,372 American Indian and Alaskan Native people (AI/AN) of at least 18 years., Measures: Participants completed computer-assisted, self-administered questionnaires, and anthropometric and health measurements were taken of each participant., Analysis: Analysis of variance, chi2 tests, and multiple linear regressions were used., Results: Almost 23% of participants reported less than 30 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous activities. Half (49%) reported no vigorous activities. Characteristics associated with more time spent performing vigorous activity were male gender, age less than 40 years, higher income and education levels, and living in a rural area. Almost 70% of Alaskan participants and 36% of Southwest participants engaged in wild food-harvesting activities. Participants with higher levels of activity had significantly better clinical characteristics (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and waist circumference)., Conclusion: AI/AN people engage in many different physical activities, including traditional harvesting activities. Women had lower levels of PA than men, and participation in vigorous PA was associated with better clinical characteristics. These data can be used to guide health promotion efforts in AI/AN populations.