There is limited evidence and a lack of robust interventions that examine the impacts of  physical activity on health and fitness status in the Canadian Indigenous population .
Vali date d , culturally relevant tools for measuring physical activity may aid in program evaluation and focused educational material s could better support population health initiatives .
The Indigenous population of Canada faces an increased burden of chronic disease , leading to decreased life expectancy .
Physical activity is an important health behaviour that improves chronic disease risk factors and physical fitness .
The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate physical activity interventions in the Indigenous population in Canada to determine effects on physical activity rates , physical fitness , and health outcomes .
Intervening to reduce weight gain in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus in Cree communities: an evaluation.
BACKGROUND A high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes has been observed among the Cree of James Bay , Quebec . To address this problem , a diet and activity intervention during pregnancy , which was based on social learning theory , was initiated in 4 Cree communities . METHODS A prospect i ve intervention compared dietary , weight and glycemic indicators for 107 control subjects and for 112 women who received the intervention during the course of their pregnancy . A control period in 4 communities ( July 1995-March 1996 ) was followed by an intervention period ( April 1996-January 1997 ) when subjects were offered regular , individual diet counselling , physical activity sessions and other activities related to nutrition . RESULTS The intervention and control groups did not differ at baseline regarding their mean age ( 24.3 years [ SD 6.29 ] v. 23.8 years [ SD 5.86 ] ) , mean prepregnancy weight ( 81.0 kg [ SD 19.46 ] v. 78.9 kg [ SD 17.54 ] ) and mean gestational age at recruitment ( 17.1 weeks [ SD 7.06 ] v. 18.5 weeks [ SD 6.92 ] ) . The intervention did not result in differences in diet measured at 24 - 30 weeks ' gestation , rate of weight gain over the second half of pregnancy ( 0.53 kg per week [ SD 0.32 ] v. 0.53 kg per week [ SD 0.27 ] ) or plasma glucose level ( 50 g oral glucose screen ) between 24 and 30 weeks ( 7.21 mmol/L [ SD 2.09 ] v. 7.43 mmol/L [ SD 2.10 ] ) . Mean birth weights were similar ( 3741 g [ SD 523 ] v. 3686 g [ SD 686 ] ) , as was maternal weight at 6 weeks post partum ( 88.1 kg [ SD 16.8 ] v. 86.4 kg [ SD 19.0 ] ) . The only changes in dietary intake were a reduction in caffeine ( pregnancy ) and an increase in folate ( post partum ) . INTERPRETATION This intervention had only a minor impact on diet ; finding ways of encouraging appropriate body weight and activity levels remains a challenge
There is limited evidence and a lack of robust interventions that examine the impacts of  physical activity on health and fitness status in the Canadian Indigenous population .
Vali date d , culturally relevant tools for measuring physical activity may aid in program evaluation and focused educational material s could better support population health initiatives .
The Indigenous population of Canada faces an increased burden of chronic disease , leading to decreased life expectancy .
Physical activity is an important health behaviour that improves chronic disease risk factors and physical fitness .
The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate physical activity interventions in the Indigenous population in Canada to determine effects on physical activity rates , physical fitness , and health outcomes .