Diabetes Nutrition Education for the Yaqui Community

Susan McGinley
Sept. 8, 2000


Diabetes has increased at a frightening rate among the Indians of Southern Arizona. They now have one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the world, caused largely by a shift in dietary patterns over the last century.

Prior to the late 19th century, Indians who lived in the desert ate natural, whole foods high in fiber. In recent years the emphasis has been instead on more processed, low fiber foods high in refined carbohydrates.

The resulting blood sugar imbalance now affects young and old alike among the Tohono O'odham, Pima, Yaqui, and other Arizona populations. The more serious effects of diabetes include blindness, kidney damage and the need for regular dialysis, and possible amputation of gangrenous limbs.

Dietary changes do make a difference, and education can help. The Extension Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), offered through the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, provides eating and exercise guidelines to maintain health in those who are already diabetic, and may help prevent diabetes from developing in the rest of the population.

In Tucson's Yaqui community, Pat Gomez, an EFNEP nutrition educator with the Pima County Extension, offers a variety of nutrition classes to people of all ages, including pre-schoolers, middle and high school students and adults. Gomez, who is dibetic, understands the need to incorporate the right foods in smaller portions into her own diet.

Anna Valenzuela, a diabetes support group coordinator from the Yaqui tribe, assists Gomez during class, answering questions and helping with materials. They often cook and serve a meal, and discuss acceptable portion sizes. All of the dietary information given is based on the food pyramid, altered to reflect diabetic needs and restrictions.

While Gomez generally conducts the class in Spanish (nutritional literature is available in both English and Spanish) she often teaches in Yaqui at both the Pascua Yaqui pueblo and Pascua Yaqui village. Gomez also works with Yaqui aides to teach five trilingual nutrition classes to about 100 preschoolers.

Gomez teaches to fit the needs of different audiences within the Yaqui tribe. These include courses for seniors; people in drug rehabilitation; patients on dialysis; students in middle school; young mothers in alternative high school; and teachers in the Head Start program.

The mortality rate among Yaquis with diabetes is two percent, a rate Gomez believes is low due in part to these classes, both for the information they provide and the support they foster among people with diabetes.

"The best part is that these classes are free," she tells today's class. "I'm learning along with you. It's very depressing sometimes and we have to support each other. All we need is your time, your patience, and your commitment to attend."

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