1
|
Shafiee M, Al-Bazz S, Szafron M, Lane G, Vatanparast H. "I Haven't Had Moose Meat in a Long Time": Exploring Urban Indigenous Perspectives on Traditional Foods in Saskatchewan. Nutrients 2024; 16:2432. [PMID: 39125313 PMCID: PMC11313948 DOI: 10.3390/nu16152432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study investigates the perspectives of urban Indigenous individuals in Saskatchewan, Canada, regarding their consumption of traditional foods. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants across Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert, the research aimed to uncover the benefits, risks, and barriers associated with acquiring and consuming traditional foods. Participants emphasized the nutritional advantages of traditional foods, such as higher nutrient density and absence of industrial additives, which they linked to improved health outcomes and alignment with Indigenous biology. The study also highlighted the vital role of traditional foods in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community connections through practices of food sharing and intergenerational knowledge transfer. However, significant challenges were identified, including economic and physical barriers to access, environmental degradation, and regulatory issues that restrict the availability of traditional foods in urban settings. The findings suggest a complex landscape where cultural practices are both preserved and challenged within the urban environment. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how Indigenous populations navigate the preservation of their culinary heritage in the face of modern economic and environmental pressures, providing insights for policy and community-based interventions aimed at supporting Indigenous food sovereignty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Shafiee
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
| | - Samer Al-Bazz
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
| | - Michael Szafron
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada;
| | - Ginny Lane
- Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA;
| | - Hassan Vatanparast
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
- Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shafiee M, Al-Bazz S, Lane G, Szafron M, Vatanparast H. Exploring Healthy Eating Perceptions, Barriers, and Facilitators among Urban Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan. Nutrients 2024; 16:2006. [PMID: 38999754 PMCID: PMC11243163 DOI: 10.3390/nu16132006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Urban Indigenous populations encounter distinctive challenges in maintaining traditional dietary practices, compounded by the complexities of socio-economic and environmental factors and the modern urban lifestyle. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of healthy eating, along with the facilitators and barriers to such practices, among urban Indigenous peoples in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert. Through virtual interviews, we engage 14 participants from these cities. Utilizing NVivo for thematic coding, we apply inductive thematic analysis to reveal relevant themes. The study highlights a preference for nutrient-rich, natural, and minimally processed foods, with a significant emphasis on incorporating traditional Indigenous foods into diets. These preferences are deeply entwined with cultural identity and underscore the importance of traditional foods in maintaining cultural heritage and promoting well-being. Despite the intrinsic value of these traditional foods, participants face several barriers to healthy eating, including economic constraints, limited access to traditional foods, and the psychological impacts of historical trauma. Nevertheless, facilitators such as community and family support, engagement in traditional food practices, and a growing awareness of nutritional knowledge are identified as being crucial in supporting healthy dietary choices. This research underscores the complex interplay of cultural, economic, and environmental factors in shaping the dietary practices of urban Indigenous peoples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Shafiee
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
| | - Samer Al-Bazz
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
| | - Ginny Lane
- Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA;
| | - Michael Szafron
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada;
| | - Hassan Vatanparast
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada; (M.S.); (S.A.-B.)
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
April-Lalonde G, Deaconu A, Cole DC, Batal M. Traditional Food Consumption in Andean Ecuador and Associated Consumer Characteristics, Shopping and Eating Habits. Ecol Food Nutr 2023; 62:308-333. [PMID: 37791736 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2023.2264197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional foods (TFs) hold increasing global relevance due to their potential to address health and dietary challenges. This study explores TF consumption and patterns in a middle-income country's general population. Using 2017 Ecuadorian highlands survey data, we identified four consumption clusters with distinct TF preferences. Chi-square tests identified variations in independent variables across clusters. Poisson regression models highlighted city, age, education, and food habits as independent predictors of TF-based clusters. Our findings broaden TF importance to nutrition beyond specific populations. Understanding consumption patterns and socioeconomic links supports nuanced public health strategies to tackle contemporary health, social equity, and sustainability issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel April-Lalonde
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Centre for Public Health Research, Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CReSP), Montréal, Canada
| | - Ana Deaconu
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Centre for Public Health Research, Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CReSP), Montréal, Canada
| | - Donald C Cole
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Fair Fields, Neustadt, Canada
| | - Malek Batal
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Centre for Public Health Research, Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CReSP), Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Knudsen L, Lyons JG, O’Dea K, Christensen DL, Brimblecombe JK. Antioxidant biomarkers and cardiometabolic risk markers in an Aboriginal community in remote Australia: a cross-sectional study. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:4937-4948. [PMID: 33261694 PMCID: PMC11082824 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020004899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-quality diets, characterised by nutrient-rich foods, are one of the foundations for health and well-being. Indicators of diet quality, antioxidants, are associated with protection against cardiometabolic diseases. The current study explores relationships between plasma antioxidants and cardiometabolic risk among Aboriginal people in Australia. DESIGN As part of a community-driven health promotion programme, we conducted a cross-sectional study including a health-behaviour questionnaire, plasma antioxidants and cardiometabolic risk markers (anthropometric, blood pressure measurements, fasting glucose, glycated Hb (HbA1c), lipids, C-reactive protein and albumin-creatinine-ratio) continuous and categorised into population-specific cut-offs. Antioxidants (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein-zeaxanthin, retinol and α-tocopherol measured using HPLC) were applied to a principal component analysis, which aggregated these into a single component. Linear regression models were applied to investigate associations between the antioxidant component and cardiometabolic risk markers. SETTING Community in a remote area in Northern Territory, Australia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 324 Aboriginal people, mean age 35·5 (range 15-75) years. RESULTS Antioxidant component levels were higher among individuals with higher self-reported vegetable intake (P < 0·01), higher among individuals with higher self-reported fruit intake (P = 0·05) and lower among current smokers (P = 0·06). Linear regression revealed an inverse association between the antioxidant component and C-reactive protein (β = -0·01, P < 0·01) after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION Higher plasma antioxidant levels, indicators of diet quality, were associated with lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in this Aboriginal population in remote Australia. This association suggests plasma antioxidants may be protective against inflammation; however, longitudinal studies are needed to examine this potentially protective relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lenette Knudsen
- Education Department, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2820Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Jasmine G Lyons
- Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kerin O’Dea
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dirk L Christensen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie K Brimblecombe
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marushka L, Batal M, Tikhonov C, Sadik T, Schwartz H, Ing A, Fediuk K, Chan HM. Importance of fish for food and nutrition security among First Nations in Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2021; 112:64-80. [PMID: 34181225 PMCID: PMC8239089 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-021-00481-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationships between fish/seafood consumption patterns and food security status among First Nations (FN) communities in Canada. We estimated the contribution of fish/seafood to daily nutrient requirements. Barriers to traditional food (TF) access including fish were summarized. METHODS Data were collected by the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008-2018). The sample of this participatory study comprised 6258 randomly selected FN adults. Fish/seafood consumption was estimated with a food frequency questionnaire. Food security status was assessed with the Household Food Security Survey Module. The contribution of fish/seafood to protein, n-3 fatty acid, vitamin (A, B12, D, niacin) and mineral (selenium, zinc) requirements was assessed by comparison to Dietary Reference Intakes. RESULTS Regional differences were observed in fish/seafood consumption patterns and their relationship with food security status. In the eastern regions (Ontario, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region), consumption of fish/seafood and other TF was significantly higher among food insecure compared with food secure FN participants. Severely food insecure men (particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region) tended to eat a higher amount of TF, including fish/seafood, compared with food secure and moderately food insecure men, while no difference was observed in women. Fish/seafood provided good sources of selected nutrients. However, the high cost of harvesting equipment, industry-related activities and climate change reduce access to fish/seafood and other wildlife. CONCLUSION Fish/seafood continues to be vital to the diet of FN communities. Focusing on policies that support FN increased access to fish/seafood has the potential to decrease food insecurity and support sustainable livelihoods. Future policies should focus on socio-economic determinants of food insecurity and support traditional harvesting and sustainable fisheries among FN communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lesya Marushka
- First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Malek Batal
- Département de nutrition, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Liliane de Stewart, C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3T 1A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSS du Centre-sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CReSP), 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montréal, QC, H3N 1X7, Canada
| | - Constantine Tikhonov
- First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tonio Sadik
- Assembly of First Nations, 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6L5, Canada
| | - Harold Schwartz
- First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Amy Ing
- Département de nutrition, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Liliane de Stewart, C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3T 1A8, Canada
| | - Karen Fediuk
- First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Inuit Country Food and Health during Pregnancy and Early Childhood in the Circumpolar North: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052625. [PMID: 33807905 PMCID: PMC7967653 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Inuit communities in the Circumpolar North have experienced a nutrition transition characterized by the decreased intake of culturally important, nutrient-rich traditional food (country food), and an increased intake of market food, resulting in concerns over reduced diet quality and emerging chronic diseases. Nutrition in early life is critical for development, may influence health risks in later life, and is an important concern for Inuit community health. The goal of this scoping review was to characterize the nature, extent, and range of the published literature on Inuit country food and health in pregnancy and childhood. A search string was developed and applied to three databases, followed by title and abstract screening and full text review. Articles published between 1995 and 2019 were included, and data were extracted and summarized descriptively. The number of articles generally increased over time, despite the unequal geographic distribution of articles. The majority of the articles focused on environmental contaminants, and one-quarter described nutrient adequacy. Few articles described food security or food safety in pregnancy, and the most utilized quantitative methods. Gaps in understanding of country food use in pregnancy and early childhood highlight areas of future research to support public health policy for this population. Given the critical role of good nutrition in early life and the important contribution country food makes to diet quality for Inuit, further understanding of this interface is warranted.
Collapse
|
7
|
McCartan J, van Burgel E, McArthur I, Testa S, Thurn E, Funston S, Kho A, McMahon E, Brimblecombe J. Traditional Food Energy Intake among Indigenous Populations in Select High-Income Settler-Colonized Countries: A Systematic Literature Review. Curr Dev Nutr 2020; 4:nzaa163. [PMID: 33274307 PMCID: PMC7695808 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The traditional diets of Indigenous Peoples globally have undergone a major transition due to settler colonialism. This systematic review aims to provide a perspective of traditional food intake of Indigenous populations in high-income settler-colonized countries. For inclusion, studies reported the primary outcome of interest-traditional food contribution to total energy intake (% of energy)-and occurred in Canada, the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), New Zealand, Australia, and/or Scandinavian countries. Primary outcome data were reported and organized by date of data collection by country. Forty-nine articles published between 1987 and 2019 were identified. Wide variation in contribution of traditional food to energy was reported. A trend for decreasing traditional food energy intake over time was apparent; however, heterogeneity in study populations and dietary assessment methods limited conclusive evaluation of this. This review may inform cross-sectoral policy to protect the sustainable utilization of traditional food for Indigenous Peoples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia McCartan
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma van Burgel
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Isobelle McArthur
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sharni Testa
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elisabeth Thurn
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Funston
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angel Kho
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma McMahon
- Menzies School of Health Research, Spring Hill, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic: a scoping review. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:2650-2668. [PMID: 32914743 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020002402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study undertook a systematic scoping review on the drivers and implications of dietary changes among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic. DESIGN A keyword search of peer-reviewed articles was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Circumpolar Health Bibliographic Database and High North Research Documents. Eligibility criteria included all full-text articles of any design reporting on research on food consumption, nutrient intake, dietary adequacy, dietary change, food security, nutrition-related chronic diseases or traditional food harvesting and consumption among Inuit populations residing in Canada. Articles reporting on in vivo and in vitro experiments or on health impacts of environmental contaminants were excluded. RESULTS A total of 162 studies were included. Studies indicated declining country food (CF) consumption in favour of market food (MF). Drivers of this transition include colonial processes, poverty and socio-economic factors, changing food preferences and knowledge, and climate change. Health implications of the dietary transition are complex. Micro-nutrient deficiencies and dietary inadequacy are serious concerns and likely exacerbated by increased consumption of non-nutrient dense MF. Food insecurity, overweight, obesity and related cardiometabolic health outcomes are growing public health concerns. Meanwhile, declining CF consumption is entangled with shifting culture and traditional knowledge, with potential implications for psychological, spiritual, social and cultural health and well-being. CONCLUSIONS By exploring and synthesising published literature, this review provides insight into the complex factors influencing Inuit diet and health. Findings may be informative for future research, decision-making and intersectoral actions around risk assessment, food policy and innovative community programmes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Golzadeh N, Barst BD, Basu N, Baker JM, Auger JC, McKinney MA. Evaluating the concentrations of total mercury, methylmercury, selenium, and selenium:mercury molar ratios in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree in Alberta, Canada. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 250:126285. [PMID: 32114346 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional foods provide nutritional, social, and economic benefits for Indigenous communities; however, anthropogenic activities have raised concerns about mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), in these foods. This issue may be of particular concern for communities near large industrial activities, including the Bigstone Cree Nation adjacent to the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada. This community-led study sought to assess variation in THg and MeHg concentrations among traditional food types (plants or animals), species, and tissues (muscles, organs), and variation in concentrations of the micronutrient selenium (Se)- thought to protect against Hg toxicity-and Se:THg ratios. Thirteen plant and animal species were collected in 2015 by Bigstone Cree community members. We quantified THg, Se, and Se:THg ratios in 65 plant and 111 animal samples and MeHg in 106 animal samples. For plants, the lichen, old man's beard (Usnea spp.), showed the highest concentrations of THg and Se (0.11 ± 0.02 and 0.08 ± 0.01 μg g-1 w. w., respectively) and also had a low Se:THg molar ratio. Concentrations of THg, MeHg, and Se differed among animal samples (P < 0.010), showing variation among species and among tissues/organs. Generally, concentrations of THg and MeHg were highest in aquatic animals, which also had relatively low Se:THg molar ratios. Overall results revealed substantial variation in the patterns of THg, MeHg, Se and Se:THg ratios across this comprehensive basket of traditional foods. Thus, measuring concentrations of THg alone, without considering MeHg and potential associations with Se, may not adequately convey the exposure to Hg in traditional foods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Golzadeh
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center (WERC), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Janelle M Baker
- Department of Anthropology, Centre for Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada
| | - Josie C Auger
- Bigstone Cree Nation, Wabasca-Desmarais, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Blanchet R, Willows N, Johnson S, Salmon Reintroduction Initiatives ON, Batal M. Traditional Food, Health, and Diet Quality in Syilx Okanagan Adults in British Columbia, Canada. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12040927. [PMID: 32230797 PMCID: PMC7230592 DOI: 10.3390/nu12040927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Canada, store-bought food constitutes the majority of First Nations (FN) people’s diets; however, their traditional foods (TF; wild fish, game, fowl, and plants) remains vital for their health. This study compares health indicators and diet quality among 265 Syilx Okanagan adults according to whether or not they reported eating TF during a 24-h dietary recall. Three methods assessed diet quality: nutrient intakes and adequacy, Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C), and contributions of ultra-processed products (UPP) to %energy using the NOVA classification. Fifty-nine participants (22%) reported eating TF during the dietary recall; TF contributed to 13% of their energy intake. There were no significant differences in weight status or prevalence of chronic disease between TF eaters and non-eaters. TF eaters had significantly higher intakes of protein; omega-3 fatty acids; dietary fibre; copper; magnesium; manganese; phosphorus; potassium; zinc; niacin; riboflavin; and vitamins B6, B12, D, and E than non-eaters. TF eaters also had significantly better diet quality based on the HEI-C and the %energy from UPP. Findings support that TF are critical contributors to the diet quality of FN individuals. Strength-based FN-led interventions, such as Indigenous food sovereignty initiatives, should be promoted to improve access to TF and to foster TF consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Blanchet
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (N.W.); Tel.: +1-780-492-3989 (N.W.)
| | - Noreen Willows
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (N.W.); Tel.: +1-780-492-3989 (N.W.)
| | | | | | - Malek Batal
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, P.O. Box 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada;
- Centre de recherche en santé publique du Québec (CReSP), Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Exploration of Food-Seeking Behaviour, Food Preparation, and Restrictions to Sufficient Food among the Jahai Sub-Tribe (Indigenous People) in Gerik, Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17010348. [PMID: 31947907 PMCID: PMC6982191 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Access to food has been determined to be a factor that strongly influences the dietary intake and eating habit of indigenous people (Orang Asli, OA). This study explored food acquisition and the barriers in obtaining traditional and market foods among the Jahai subtribe (within the Negrito ethnic group) via a qualitative approach. Twenty-eight OA (14 males and 14 females) from Gerik, Perak, Malaysia participated in four focus group discussions (FGDs; two male-only and two female-only groups; seven informants in each FGD). Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the gathered data. The results found that the Jahai applied both modern (buying and receiving food assistance) and traditional (gathering, farming, fishing, and hunting) methods in obtaining food. The barriers they faced in gathering sufficient food supply included low purchasing power, high demand for food, high transport costs, depletion of food supplies in their surroundings, threats from wild animals on the farm and during food searching activities, and food sharing. Food preparation methods practiced by the OA include roasting and grilling, frying, simmering (gulai), and boiling. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the dietary behaviour of the Jahai subtribe and highlights restricted food access among the OA, which demands urgent attention.
Collapse
|
12
|
Examining differences in school hour and school day dietary quality among Canadian children between 2004 and 2015. Public Health Nutr 2019; 22:3051-3062. [DOI: 10.1017/s1368980019000788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjective:The present study aimed to: (i) evaluate changes in Canadian children’s dietary quality during school hours and on school days between 2004 and 2015; and (ii) explore whether changes in dietary quality over time were moderated by sociodemographic characteristics.Design:Nationally representative 24 h dietary recall data were obtained from the 2004 (n 4827) and 2015 (n 2447) Canadian Community Health Surveys. Dietary quality was measured using the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) which evaluates respondents’ compliance with 2007 national dietary recommendations, and the school-HEI which assesses respondents’ dietary quality during school hours. Multivariable regression models compared differences in dietary quality between 2004 and 2015. Interaction effects were used to test whether changes over time were moderated by sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age group, ethnicity, residential location, province of residence, parental education, food security status).Setting:Canada.Participants:Children aged 6–17 years.Results:Mean school-HEI score rose from 51.3 to 58.0 points (maximum = 100) from 2004 to 2015 (P < 0.001). School-HEI sub-scores for total vegetables and fruit, whole fruit, dark green and orange vegetables, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives improved over time, but remained well below recommendations. Decreased energy from minimally nutritious foods accounted for 39 % of the improvement in mean school-HEI scores. Mean whole day C-HEI scores also improved (60.8 to 66.4 points, P < 0.001). There was no evidence of a moderating effect for any of the sociodemographic variables examined.Conclusions:Mean dietary quality of Canadian children during school hours and on school days improved modestly for all age and sex groups but remained below 2007 national dietary recommendations.
Collapse
|
13
|
Reframing food security by and for Native American communities: a case study among tribes in the Klamath River basin of Oregon and California. Food Secur 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-019-00925-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|
14
|
Marushka L, Kenny TA, Batal M, Cheung WWL, Fediuk K, Golden CD, Salomon AK, Sadik T, Weatherdon LV, Chan HM. Potential impacts of climate-related decline of seafood harvest on nutritional status of coastal First Nations in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211473. [PMID: 30811408 PMCID: PMC6392226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional food systems are under pressure from various stressors, including climate change which is projected to negatively alter the abundance of marine species harvested by coastal First Nations (FNs) in British Columbia (BC). OBJECTIVE To model the potential impacts of the climate-related declines in seafood production on the nutritional status of coastal BC FNs. In addition, we projected potential changes in nutrient intakes, under different scenarios of substitution where traditional seafood is replaced with alternative non-traditional foods. METHODS The study design is a mixed-method approach that combines two datasets: projected scenarios of climate-related change on seafood catch potential for coastal BC FNs and data derived from the cross-sectional First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study. The consumption of seafood was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire among 356 FNs. The contribution of seafood consumption to protein, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamins (A, B12, D, niacin), and minerals (zinc, selenium and iron) requirements was assessed using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). RESULTS Traditional seafood consumption provided daily recommendations of EPA+DHA (74-184%) and vitamin B12 (84-152%) and substantial levels of niacin (28-55%), selenium (29-55%), vitamin D (15-30%) and protein (14-30%). Projected climate change was estimated to reduce the intakes of essential nutrients by 21% and 31% under 'strong mitigation' (Representative Concentration Pathway, RCP2.6) and 'business-as-usual' (RCP8.5) climate change scenarios, respectively, by the year 2050 relative to 2000. The hypothetical substitution of seafood with selected alternative non-traditional foods does not provide adequate amounts of nutrients. CONCLUSION Traditionally-harvested seafood remains fundamental to the contemporary diet and health of coastal BC FNs. Potential dietary shifts aggravated by climate-related declines in seafood consumption may have significant nutritional and health implications for BC FN. Strategies to improve access to seafood harvest potential in coastal communities are needed to ensure nutritional health and overall well-being and to promote food security and food sovereignty in coastal FNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lesya Marushka
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tiff-Annie Kenny
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Malek Batal
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Liliane de Stewart, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - William W. L. Cheung
- Changing Ocean Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Nippon Foundation-UBC Nereus Program, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karen Fediuk
- Dietitian and Nutrition Researcher, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher D. Golden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard University Center for the Environment, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne K. Salomon
- School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tonio Sadik
- Assembly of First Nations, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Hing Man Chan
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Phillips KM, Pehrsson PR, Patterson KY. Survey of vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in traditional native Alaskan meats, fish, and oils. J Food Compost Anal 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
16
|
Seafood consumption patterns, their nutritional benefits and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among First Nations in British Columbia, Canada. Public Health Nutr 2018; 21:3223-3236. [DOI: 10.1017/s136898001800215x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo describe seafood consumption patterns in First Nations (FN) in British Columbia (BC) and examine lifestyle characteristics associated with seafood consumption; to identify the top ten most consumed seafood species and their contributions to EPA and DHA intake; and to estimate dietary exposure to methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene.DesignDietary and lifestyle data from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study, a cross-sectional study of 1103 FN living in twenty-one communities across eight ecozones in BC, Canada, were analysed. Seafood consumption was estimated using a traditional FFQ. Seafood samples were analysed for contaminant contents.ResultsSeafood consumption patterns varied significantly across BC ecozones reflecting geographical diversity of seafood species. The top ten most consumed species represented 64 % of total seafood consumption by weight and contributed 69 % to the total EPA+DHA intake. Mean EPA+DHA intake was 660·5 mg/d in males, 404·3 mg/d in females; and 28 % of FN met the Recommended Intake (RI) of 500 mg/d. Salmon was the most preferred species. Seafood consumption was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption, lower smoking rate and increased physical activity. Dietary exposure to selected contaminants from seafood was negligible.ConclusionsIn FN in BC, seafood continues to be an essential part of the contemporary diet. Seafood contributed significantly to reaching the RI for EPA+DHA and was associated with a healthier lifestyle. Given numerous health benefits, seafood should be promoted in FN. Efforts towards sustainability of fishing should be directed to maintain and improve access to fisheries for FN.
Collapse
|
17
|
Dellinger MJ, Olson J, Holub B, Ripley MP. Fatty Acids in Ten Species of Fish Commonly Consumed by the Anishinaabe of the Upper Great Lakes. JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH 2018; 44:521-526. [PMID: 30270966 PMCID: PMC6157921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has been monitoring contaminant concentrations in the fillet portions of fish from the 1836 treaty-ceded waters of lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan since 1991. The goal is to provide up to date consumption advice for their CORA member tribes. For the first time since the program started, CORA has included fatty acid analysis in 2016 monitoring of fish in Lake Superior. Ten species were targeted by CORA based on 25 years of experience and regular discussions with Anishinaabe fish consumers. This paper reports these results and presents some preliminary discussion of the consequences for consumption advice for the CORA member tribes who inhabit the Great Lakes region. Six of the species were sampled from Lake Huron and Lake Superior and four were sampled from supermarkets. Wild caught fish are an important link to the culture of Great Lakes Native American tribes and important sources of food and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA N-3). While some PUFA N-3 data from the Great Lakes is available, this dataset provides an important supplement and is specific to the 1836-treaty ceded waters of CORA. This paper confirms the presence of PUFA N-3s in Great Lakes fish traditionally harvested by the CORA tribes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jared Olson
- Institute for Health and Society: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Bruce Holub
- University of Guelph, Dept. of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Marushka L, Hu X, Batal M, Sadik T, Schwartz H, Ing A, Fediuk K, Tikhonov C, Chan HM. The Relationship between Persistent Organic Pollutants Exposure and Type 2 Diabetes among First Nations in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada: A Difference in Difference Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E539. [PMID: 29562596 PMCID: PMC5877084 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We previously studied the association between fish consumption and prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Manitoba and Ontario First Nations (FNs), Canada and found different results. In this study, we used a difference in difference model to analyze the data. Dietary and health data from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study, a cross-sectional study of 706 Manitoba and 1429 Ontario FNs were analyzed. The consumption of fish was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Fish samples were analyzed for dichloro diphenyldichloro ethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) content. Difference in difference model results showed that persistent organic pollutant (POP) exposure was positively associated with T2D in a dose-response manner. Stronger positive associations were found among females (OR = 14.96 (3.72-60.11)) than in males (OR = 2.85 (1.14-8.04)). The breakpoints for DDE and PCB intake were 2.11 ng/kg/day and 1.47 ng/kg/day, respectively. Each further 1 ng/kg/day increase in DDE and PCB intake increased the risk of T2D with ORs 2.29 (1.26-4.17) and 1.44 (1.09-1.89), respectively. Our findings suggest that the balance of risk and benefits associated with fish consumption is highly dependent on the regional POP concentrations in fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lesya Marushka
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, 180 Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Xuefeng Hu
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, 180 Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Malek Batal
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Liliane de Stewart, 2405 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Street, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada.
| | - Tonio Sadik
- Assembly of First Nations, 55 Metcalfe St #1600, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5, Canada.
| | - Harold Schwartz
- Health Canada, Environmental Public Health Division, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Room 2000A Jeanne Mance Bldg. AL 1920A, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Amy Ing
- Nutrition Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Liliane de Stewart, 2405 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Street, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada.
| | - Karen Fediuk
- Dietitian and Nutrition Researcher, Victoria, BC V8Y2V8, Canada.
| | - Constantine Tikhonov
- Health Canada, Environmental Public Health Division, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Room 2000A Jeanne Mance Bldg. AL 1920A, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, 180 Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tugault-Lafleur CN, Black JL, Barr SI. Lunch-time food source is associated with school hour and school day diet quality among Canadian children. J Hum Nutr Diet 2017; 31:96-107. [PMID: 28758252 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited research on the dietary behaviours of Canadian children at school, including where students obtain food from during school hours or whether lunch-time food source influences diet quality. METHODS Nationally representative cross-sectional data from 24-h dietary recalls were analysed from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 4589). Dietary outcomes included school hour and school day dietary intakes and School Healthy Eating Index (S-HEI) scores. Survey-weighted covariate-adjusted linear regression models examined differences in dietary outcomes across lunch-time food source groups. RESULTS The majority of children (72.8%) reported bringing lunch from home, whereas fewer students obtained lunch from off-campus locations (11.6%), schools (9.6%) or skipped lunch (5.9%). Compared to off-campus lunches, home-packed lunches were significantly higher in fibre, vitamins A, D and C, thiamin, magnesium, iron, grains, vegetables and fruit, but lower in total calories, fat and calories from minimally nutritious foods. Average school hour diet quality required improvement for all age groups, although S-HEI scores did not differ significantly by lunch-time food source among 6-8-year-old children. However, for children age 9-17 years, bringing a home-packed lunch was associated with significantly higher S-HEI scores compared to students obtaining lunch from off-campus locations. After adjusting for age and sex, lunch-time food source was also significantly associated with whole day dietary quality. CONCLUSIONS Although the nutritional quality of off-campus lunches was lower than home-packed lunches, the quality of foods was suboptimal, regardless of food source. Strategies are needed to enhance access to nutritious foods on campus and improve the nutritional quality of packed lunches, which supply the majority of lunch-time foods consumed by Canadian children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C N Tugault-Lafleur
- Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - J L Black
- Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - S I Barr
- Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|