Question

QUESTION 3

As discussed in class, which populations tend to have the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes? What do these groups have in common with the O'odham tribes as seen in the video "Bad Sugar"?

Answer 1

The second largest Native American tribe, Tohono O'odham, has the highest rate of adult onset diabetes in the world. Traditionally, the Tohono O'dham were farmers who harvested food from native plants and grew crops that could withstand the desert heat. But today few people farm and the cafe is growing its own crops. Until 1960, no one had diabetes because people ate traditional foods that helped prevent the disease. But with the introduction of foods high in fat and calories, diabetes became widespread, including in children. Now the O'odham people are being encouraged to go back to eating the traditional foods and a cafe on the reservation is making those foods appealing.