2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The broad objective of this cooperative research is to develop information useful in promoting health through improved nutrition and lifestyles. The specific objectives are to: 1. Develop understanding of the relationships of diet, lifestyle, and the prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in American Indian peoples; 2. Identify health needs, and the barriers to and facilitators of meeting those needs in American Indian communities; 3. Determine the efficacy of community-based, health-promoting, intervention strategies in American Indian communities; and, 4. Increase research cooperation between American Indian colleges and USDA-ARS. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Identification and characterization of barriers to and facilitators of eating healthy diets and engaging in healthy lifestyles will be accomplished through a series of focus groups in American Indian communities. Focus groups will be designed to also identify and prioritize community needs as potential mediating factors. Subsequently, health-promoting intervention strategies will be developed and evaluated based on identified barriers and facilitators in the context of community needs and priorities. A research involving human subjects will be conducted with appropriate review and approval by the respective institutional review boards used by Cankdeska Cikana Community College and ARS. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Cankdeska Cikana Community College. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5450-51530-009-00D, Micronutrient Roles in Physiology and Health. This project represents the commitment of the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center and the Cankdeska Cikana Community College to collaborate in studies of mutual value to promote the health of American Indians. Focus groups of American Indians were assembled to develop formative information on facilitators and barriers to compliance with a national guideline for diet and physical activity, Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Activities were monitored by frequent site visits at Cankdeska Cikana Community College and regular conference calls including discussions for planning activities among the investigators.