Targeting risk factors for type 2 diabetes in American Indian youth: the Tribal Turning Point pilot study.

Summary: Background: American Indian (AI) youth are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Objectives: To partner with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Navajo Nation to develop a culturally sensitive behavioural intervention for youth (Tribal Turning Point; TTP) and assess feasibility in an 8‐month randomized pilot study. Methods: We enrolled 62 overweight/obese AI children (7–10 years) who participated with ≥1 parent/primary caregiver. Intervention participants (<italic>n</italic> = 29) attended 12 group classes and five individual sessions. Control participants (<italic>n</italic> = 33) attended three health and safety group sessions. We analysed group differences for changes in anthropometrics (BMI, BMI <italic>z</italic>‐score, waist circumference), cardiometabolic (insulin, glucose, blood pressure) and behavioural (physical activity and dietary self‐efficacy) outcomes. Results: Study retention was 97%, and intervention group attendance averaged 84%. We observed significant treatment effects (<italic>p</italic> = 0.02) for BMI and BMI <italic>z</italic>‐score: BMI increased in control (+1.0 kg m⁻², <italic>p</italic> < 0.001) but not intervention participants (+0.3 kg m⁻², <italic>p</italic> = 0.13); BMI <italic>z</italic>‐score decreased in intervention (−0.17, <italic>p</italic> = 0.004) but not control participants (0.01, <italic>p</italic> = 0.82). There were no treatment effects for cardiometabolic or behavioural outcomes. Conclusions: We demonstrated that a behavioural intervention is feasible to deliver and improved obesity measures in AI youth. Future work should evaluate TTP for effectiveness, sustainability and long‐term impact in expanded tribal settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]