Fitness program targets health of American Indians

Just Move It aims to keep people healthy

Steve Andrascik/ViewShandeen Curtis, foreground, leads the Nevada Cancer Institute Program?s Just Move It walk to help American Indians change their diets and exercise more. The event was held Nov. 14 at the Paiute Tribe Colony, 1257 Paiute Circle. Advertisement

Many people think of the Nevada Cancer Institute as dealing only with diagnosed patients. But one program it co-sponsors, called Just Move It for Native Americans, hopes to keep people from getting cancer, simply by eating healthily and exercising.

Five years ago, Diana Hovietz saw her weight edge up until she was 242 pounds. The 58-year-old American Indian said she decided to do something about it. She said by eating healthier and cutting down on her caloric intake, she dropped to 180 pounds.

"I'd eat dinner and then go right to bed," she said. "I learned that if I quit doing that, quit eating late at night, I'd lose weight."

It was one of the things advocated by the Nevada Cancer Institute and the Just Move It program.

"The health problems faced by American Indians is largely because of their lifestyle. That's why there is a high rate of diabetes," said Barbara Lawson-Risso, patient navigator/American Indian liaison with the Nevada Cancer Institute. "The food tribes receive in the form of commodities from the federal government have a high fat and sodium content. That's why teaching nutrition is an important aspect."

The program was launched in February 2006. Besides encompassing food choices and walking programs, it includes volleyball, basketball, swimming and horseshoes. It's sponsored by Health and Human Services Center, the Southern Nevada Health District and the Nevada Cancer Institute. The institute's input includes cancer education workshops on breast and cervical health, nutrition, smoking cessation and sun safety.

In the small enclave of Paiute tribe members, Dena Paddy, administrative assistant for its Health and Human Services Center, 1257 Paiute Circle, oversees the program. She handed out T-shirts, pedometers and oranges for the Nov. 14 Just Move It walk, covering about half a mile.

Paddy criss-crossed the road to make her route longer. Her goal is to walk 3,000 steps a day.

"My niece and I are having a war with our pedometers," she joked.

Half a dozen adults participated in the Nov. 14 event. Young children from the center's day care program also took part.

"How far they walk is not the focus," said Shanden Curtis, health promoter at the Health and Human Services Center. "It's the fact that they incorporate exercise into their day. You don't have to have a gym membership to get healthy."

The Nevada Cancer Institute launched the Just Move It program with the Las Vegas Paiute tribe. Other tribes involved are the Moapa Band of Paiutes, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, the Battle Mountain Band, the Elko Te Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and the Wells Band. The state has 26 tribes.

"We have had a good turnout at classes and people seem excited about the programs and reaching their personal goals," said Joe Mike, recreation diabetes activities coordinator for the Duckwater Shoshone tribe.

The goal in Nevada, set by the IHS, is to reach 2,200 participants. But the Nevada Cancer Institute plans to reach the nearly 26,450 American Indians living in the Silver State.