Nike has just announced the Air Native N7, an athletic shoe for Native Americans:

Nike today unveiled the Nike Air Native N7, a unique athletic performance shoe designed specifically for Native Americans. The Nike Air Native N7 is the result of nearly two years of collaborative research, development and fit testing in partnership with the Native American community. This first-of-a-kind performance shoe is built on a new and unique last created to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot. The result is a true Native fitting, performance product.

The Nike Air Native N7 is the result of nearly two years of collaborative research, development and fit testing in partnership with the Native American community. The first-of-its-kind performance shoe is built on a new and unique last created to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot. The result is a true Native fitting, performance product.

The Nike Air Native N7 marks another milestone in Nike’s long-standing commitment to Native American communities. Profits from the sale of the Nike Air Native N7 will support “Let Me Play” programs on Native American lands that leverage sport to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

As with the rest of the population, the obesity rates and consequent illnesses are of mounting concern among Native Americans. Charlotte Hofer of Indiancountry.com recently conducted an interview with Roberta Cahill of the American Cancer Society addressing cancer and other obesity-related diseases affecting Native Americans:

Charlotte Hofer: Why are our lifestyle choices so important?

Roberta Cahill: They’re crucial because we’re finding that one-third of cancer deaths could have been prevented just by making simple, healthy lifestyle changes – watching what you eat and getting enough exercise. These are things that people have control over. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to give up your favorite foods; it just means watching your portion sizes and trying to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. Our message is moderation, not deprivation.

Hofer: How have our portion sizes changed in the past 20 years?

Cahill: Our concept of what an average portion size is has ballooned in the last 20 years! Twenty years ago, an average serving of french fries was 210 calories. Today, it’s 610 calories! That’s a 400-calorie difference! We need to start monitoring our portion sizes to make sure that we’re eating within the normal, healthy range. You can do that by going to our Web site at www.cancer.org and seeing what healthy portion sizes really are.

Hofer: Are Americans generally aware of the link between obesity and cancer?

Cahill: No. What’s scary is that Americans are dangerously unaware of the link between being overweight and cancer risk. Most people know there’s a strong connection between obesity and heart disease, but we’ve found that only 1 in 10 know the link obesity has to cancer.

Hofer: Why is it especially important for Native Americans to be aware of obesity and cancer risk?

Cahill: Cancer is the second leading cause of death for American Indians in the northern Plains, accounting for 15 percent of all deaths, according to the Northern Plains Comprehensive Cancer Control. We’re also seeing that Native American children in many areas have a higher percentage of obesity than other children. We all need to work together to really push the message that simple lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the chance of getting cancer, for kids and adults alike.

The YMCA is sponsoring America on the Move Week, September 22-28, part of the American on the Move Foundation’s month-long “Steptember” campaign to motivate and empower Americans to eat a healthier diet and become more physically fit and active . The message is a simple and powerful one, and one which needs to be put into action. Based on scientific research from the America on the Move Foundation, these two steps, practiced daily, will produce results: walk an extra 2,000 steps (the equivalent of a mile) and consume 100 fewer calories. The YMCA hopes to gain many participants nationwide:

America On the Move Week with the YMCA is part of the YMCA’s national initiative known as YMCA Activate America®. Activate America is the YMCA’s bold approach to directly address our nation’s lifestyle health crisis. Activate America shifts how we are working inside and outside the YMCA to engage all children, youth, adults and families whose successful pursuit of health and well being in spirit, mind and body requires continuous supportive relationships and environments.

Does the strategy work? America on the Move (AOM) features an inspiring story of success of Greg Riley, of Swansea, South Carolina, suffering from the complications of Type 2 diabetes:

Within six months of joining AOM, Gregg had lost sixty pounds and his doctor had taken him off diabetes medication. Two and a half years later, he is still walking and controlling his diabetes through diet and exercise. Now that his blood sugar has stabilized, his vision has improved and he no longer needs glasses to drive. “AOM has helped me deal with my diabetes in a proactive way,” says Gregg, who walks in the morning before his part-time job as a teacher/coordinator of an adult GED program. “Exercise is a joy now. I look forward to it, even in the winter.” He is currently walking AOM’s new Iditarod trail, and strives to take 10,000 steps every day. To date, Gregg has completed four half-marathons, two of them with his twenty-seven year-old daughter.

Visit the website for more details; you can sign up for a free membership and gain access to online tools and resources and also find and take part in your local YMCA’s special events.