It is interesting to note the presumed reason these people are suffering such a high level of diabetes is because they were forced into unhealthy lifestyle changes when the water they needed was diverted. The narrator observed, “For the Tohono O’odham and many others across the globe, land, culture and work vanished in the last century.” . Earlier in the film, Henrietta Lopez states clearly, “water is our life.” Yet, no one ever discusses the simple and just solution of restoring the flow of water so these people could return to their healthy lifestyle.
Research on diabetes frequently focuses on risk factors . Many studies from around the globe link poverty and obesity. . This is definitely the case in regards to the Pima Indians where studies show that 95% of the diabetes suffers are overweight. . The Pima tribe’s former lifestyle, when they had water resources is well documented. . It is also clear that under natural circumstances related people do not suffer from the same high rate of diabetes. When researchers visited the Mexican Pimas who adhere to the traditional diet and farming methods, they did not find the same rates of obesity and diabetes. The researchers who conducted this study had no doubt that a return to a healthier diet along with the physical activity of farming would reduce the severity of the problems for the Arizona Pimas . Although, these findings were clear, the cause of the problem in regards to the American Pima people in study after study focuses on their genetic makeup and the solutions suggested require greater conformation with white American standards.
Bibliography
Back, PhD, S. M. (2002, 04). Diabetes, Diversity, and Disparity: What Do We Do With the Evidence? Am J Public Health, 543 - 548. Retrieved from American Public Health Association: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447113/
Fortier, J. M. (Director). (2005). Bad Sugar [Motion Picture].
Hodge, F. W. (1906). The Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. Bureau of American Ethnology.
Marchand , L. H. (2014). Obesity and Diabetes. Retrieved from National Institute of Health: http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/pima/obesity/obesity.htm
Marsh, P. (2004, 03 14). Poverty and obesity. Retrieved from Social Issues Research Centre: http://www.sirc.org/articles/poverty_and_obesity.shtml
