Dietary Minerals Measurement in Normal Versus Obese Native American Adolescents

Obesity remains one of the five leading global risks for mortality in both developed and developing countries. Changes in dietary approaches have recently emerged as an approach to combat and prevent the high prevalence of obesity, specifically for minority groups having higher obesity rates. However, little research has been conducted on specific obesity rates in the Native American adolescent population and its' correlation to micronutrient intake. Our study chose a specific minority population of adolescents in order to contribute more academic research on obesity rates and micronutrient intake on Native American adolescents. Data was compiled using the Harvard School of Public Health Youth/Adolescent Questionnaire, which allowed significant results to be found among normal weight, overweight, and obese, male and female adolescents. This study used anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments to obtain baseline measurements and further determine the cause of the prevalence of obesity within Native American adolescent population. The majority of minerals featured significant results among various populations, more specifically among normal weight and obese males. Our finding indicates a relationship between a higher mineral intake and lower body weight in the male adolescent population. The data revealed an innovative correlation between micronutrient intake and obesity prevalence in Native American adolescents, which may provide a potential intervention to further prevent or combat obesity rates.