A Comparative analysis of the Emergence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among the First Nations of Manitoba and Saskatchewan: 1945-1970

Abstract  

This study will examine the changing socio-cultural and environmental conditions among First Nations people in Manitoba and Saskatchewan that contributed to the rise of Type Two Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) between 1945 and 1970.  It seeks to understand the process by which ongoing cultural change led to changing dietary practices and activity levels, which in turn have been linked to increasing rates of obesity and T2DM, and how this process varied between communities.  To date, virtually no detailed research has been carried out that is focused on the historical emergence of this epidemic, with the result that the timing and exact reasons for its emergence remain unclear.  This study will draw on the archival record and employ a biocultural approach, examining the interaction between culture and biology, applied within a historical context.  In addition to providing greater understanding about the past changes in First Nations health, the study's findings will cast light on the present varied pattern of T2DM in the two provinces, and will contribute to the implementation of more culturally sensitive intervention programs among the First Nations.

Content

Type 2 Diabetes among Manitoba and Saskatchewan First Nations: Origins of an Epidemic in Progress Conference Poster

Research Team

Dr. Paul Hackett (Principal Investigator)

Dr. Sylvia Abonyi (Co-Investigator)

A. Herring, McMaster University (Co-Investigator)