NATIVE HAWAIIANS

Culture, Diet & Health

The Impact of Poor

Eating Habits:
The aspects that contribute to
disparities related to the diet of the
Native Hawiians community include
cultural, dietary choices, and
psychosocial. These factors have
increased multiple health risks.
The heart disease prevalence in
Native Hawaiians is 4.2%, higher
than the State, which is 3.4%.
Among Native Hawaiians, the 10% Health-Related issues in Native
high blood pressure prevalence Hawaiians compared to the State
is 29.7%, also higher than the
State, which is 28.5%.
Native Hawaiians have the
second highest mortality rate
due to cancer on the United
States.
In Hawaii, the second highest
incidence of cancer is within the
native Hawaiian community.
34% of Native Hawaiians are
overweight and 41% are obese.
Among the Native Hawaiians,
the diabetes prevalence is Mortality Rates per 100,000 people
12.8% higher than the State, related to heart disease
which is 9.7%.

The Influence of Culture &

Environment on Eating:
The Native Hawaiian culture emphasizes on "seeing food as a
celebration of life," leading to not limiting the portion size of the
meal.
On the other hand, numerous Native Hawaiians do not have
access to healthy food options. According to the Department of
Hawaiian Homelands...
- 14% of individuals are below the poverty level
-7.3% are uninsured
-10% are unemployed
Today, there are fast food places in each corner of the city,
making it difficult for the people to choose healthier options.
Through generations, the Native Americans are taught how to
cook and what to cook, so when they grow up, the unhealthy
eating habits continue.

Angela Prikhodko 07/14/21

 Incorporating Culture to Improve
Eating Habits:
Changing One's Mindset
Nutrition educators should educate Native Americans
about the benefits of switching to healthier eating habits.
An open communication can allow questions to be asked
and certain aspects can be properly discussed.

Improving
Eating Habits through Education
Educators should elaborate on healthy substitutions but
not taking away from the culture. Some substitutions
include switching...
-white rice to quinoa
-beef to turkey
-brown rice for pasta
Educators could also encourage food preparation/meal
prep instead of fast food meals.

Social Support
Community health advocators could demonstrate
healthier eating habits and lifestyle changes to encourage
others to follow.
Through social support, it will be a little bit easier to
transfer from fast, fried, and high sodium food intake to an
increase in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber
intake.

Promoting Healthy Eating

Resources:
A few websites that
provide reliable
information about healthy
eating include;
MyPlate.gov, Nutrition.gov,
Dietaryguidelines.gov.
Local community centers
arrange
workshops/cooking
classes.
Nutrition Counseling,
and/or Virtual Nutrition
Seminars.
References
1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, February 21). Disparities in Diabetes Prevalence Among Native
Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders and Asians in Hawai'i. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2019/18_0187.htm.
2.McEligot, A. J., McMullin, J., Pang, K., Bone, M., Winston, S., Ngewa, R., & Tanjasiri, S. P. (2012, May). Dietary intakes, obesity and
health behaviors in Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California. Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health : a journal of
Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3360080/.
3.National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Waianae Diet promotes Native Hawaiian culture, well-being - Timeline - Native Voices. U.S.
National Library of Medicine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/723.html.
4.Oneha, M. F., Dodgson, J. E., DeCambra, M. H. O., Titcomb, C., Enos, R., & Morimoto-Ching, S. (2016). Connecting culturally and
spiritually to healthy eating: A community assessment with Native Hawaiians. Asian/Pacific Island nursing journal.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5325180/.
5.Welcome. Nutrition.gov | USDA. (n.d.). https://www.nutrition.gov/.
6.What's on your plate? MyPlate. (n.d.). https://www.myplate.gov/.

Angela Prikhodko 07/14/21