Substance Use, Socioeconomic Status, Demographic Information, and Obesity Amongst Native American Populations

Date of Conferral

10-31-2023

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Jeanne Connors

Abstract

Obesity is a significant issue, negatively impacting the health of all racial groups. This public health concern is growing and is associated with various diseases like type two diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, stroke, and cancer. Also, elevated disease and death rates related to obesity in minority populations have been associated with variables like education, substance use, age, and income. The purpose of this quantitative study was to analyze the relationship between obesity and a combination of variables such as substance use (i.e., alcohol consumption, tobacco use), socioeconomic status (healthcare access, income level, education level), and demographic information (age, sex, children in household, exercise, healthy days). The socio-ecological model (SEM) was the framework theory that was utilized in this research because it reveals that health is impacted through relationships on the following levels: the individual, community, physical environments, politics, and social settings. The 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used for this quantitative research approach. To understand the association amongst the unique set of variables and Native American obesity, the following analyses was utilized: correlation, bivariate, and descriptive. The relationship between obesity with demographic information, socioeconomic status, and substance use were significant but moderate with a combined Cramer’s V value of .067. The most notable individual variables were the strong relationships that obesity had with age (.130 Cramer’s V value) and marijuana usage (.129 Cramer’s V value). This research may influence positive social change that can be achieved through continued research, updated policies, and increased program funding to address Native American obesity.

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