NB3 Foundation

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'Notah Begay'

PRO Golfer's Foundation Works to Improve Health of Young Native Americans

By Robin Martinez
Published in New Mexico Kids


According to the 2010 White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in every three children ages 2 to 19 is overweight or obese. One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives while many others will face chronic obesity- related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma.

Native American young people are the most affected group, with a higher rate of obesity than the average population. This leads to an increased incidence of Type II diabetes, with New Mexico tribes seeing the onset of the disease in children as young as 10 to 14 years old.

The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation was founded in 2005 by professional golfer Notah Begay, who grew up in Albuquerque, and his father. One of the foundation's goals is to fight obesity, diabetes and other serious health problems among young Native Americans, primarily through soccer and golf programs. "This next generation of kids in Indian Country could be the first generation that doesn't outlive its parents. That's something I don't want to risk," said Begay, who is Navajo, San Felipe and Isleta.

According to Crystal Echo Hawk, the foundation's executive director, soccer is the only ongoing afterschool program available to the youth of San Felipe Pueblo, north of Albuquerque. A dirt and rock area where the children played soccer was replaced in August by a grass soccer field and a community park, thanks to a partnership between tribes, pro golfers, residents and the NB3 Foundation. The field and park are the future home of the San Felipe Soccer Club, which plans to host tournaments, camps and other events to promote soccer and good health to neighboring Pueblos. Echo Hawk said the facility is already encouraging healthy habits in all age groups – as the children practice soccer, parents and grandparents take advantage of the walking paths surrounding the fields.

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