Dietary sources of energy and nutrients in the contemporary diet of Inuit adults: results from the 2007–08 Inuit Health Survey. Issue 7 (14th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenny, Tiff-Annie; Hu, Xue Feng; Kuhnlein, Harriet V; Wesche, Sonia D; Chan, Hing Man
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 21:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1319
• Page End: 1331
• Publication Date: 2018-01-14
• Subjects: Inuit, -- Indigenous People, -- Arctic, -- Country foods, -- Mixed diet; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980017003810
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To characterize the major components of the contemporary Inuit diet and identify the primary sources of energy and essential nutrients. Design: Dietary data were derived from the 24 h recall collected by the Inuit Health Survey (IHS) from 2007 to 2008. The population proportion method was used to determine the percentage contribution of each group. Unique food items/preparations (ninety-three country foods and 1591 market foods) were classified into eight country food groups and forty-one market food groups. Nutrient composition of each food item was obtained from the Canadian Nutrient File. Setting: Thirty-six communities across three Inuit regions of northern Canada. Subjects: A representative sample ( n 2095) of non-pregnant Inuit adults (≥18 years), selected through stratified random sampling. Results: Despite their modest contribution to total energy intake (6·4–19·6 %, by region) country foods represented a major source of protein (23–52 %), Fe (28–54 %), niacin (24–52 %) and vitamins D (up to 73 %), B6 (18–55 %) and B12 (50–82 %). By contrast, the three most popular energy-yielding market foods (i.e. sweetened beverages, added sugar and bread) collectively contributed approximately 20 % of total energy, while contributing minimally to most micronutrients. A notable exception was the contribution of these foods to Ca (13–21 %) and vitamins E (17–35 %) and C (as much as 50 %). Solid fruits were consumed by less than 25 % of participants while vegetables were reported by 38–59 % of respondents. Conclusions: Country foods remain a critical dimension of the contemporary Inuit diet.