The epidemic of obesity in American Indidan communities continues to advance at an alarming rate, and is believed to be a major contributor to the increasing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in these communities. Early invertervention to prevent obesity is therefore a major priority for American Indian health. The primary aim of Pathways is to implement and evaluate a culturally appropriate school-based intervention that promotes healthful eating behaviors and increased physical activity to prevent obesity in American Indian children.
Pathways is a multi-center study with four field centers.
The Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center at UNC is the coordinating center for Pathways. Dr. June Stevens is Principal Investigator of the Pathways Coordinating Center.