Extreme poverty and the loss of traditional foods have caused many Native Americans to suffer from inadequate diets and have led to widespread, chronic health problems.

Many grassroots practitioners, researchers and advocates are already working to restore healthful diets. The Seeds of Native Health campaign was an $11 million, national campaign founded by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to support these efforts and encourage broader strategies to improve Indian nutrition now and in the future.

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81%

81% of Native Americans adults are overweight or obese.
(Source: American Indian Health Survey, 2014)

15.9%

15.9% of Native Americans suffer from type 2 diabetes, more than double the number of Caucasians.
(Source: American Diabetes Association, 2012)

24%

More than 24% of Native American households are below the federal poverty line, compared to 15% of the U.S. population as a whole.
(Source: PEW Research Center, 2014)

<$1M

Less than $1 million is spent by the United States government each year on Native American nutrition education.
(Source: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations – Nutrition Education budget, 2013)