Health experts were in San Diego, California, last week to discuss diabetes among Indian youth.

American Indian and Alaska Native youth have the highest rate of diabetes in the nation. In San Diego County, nearly a third of Indians ages 5 to 19 were obese in 2004, compared to a quarter of the general population.

Tribes are taking steps to combat the disease but face obstacles. Recreation activities are limited on rural reservations and grocery stores with healthy food can be hard to reach.

“I have people tell me, 'I'm not diabetic, yet,' and I say 'Whoa, you don't have to be,'" said Melanie Cain of the San Diego American Indian Health Center, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

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Diabetes among American Indians targeted (The San Diego Union-Tribune 12/8)