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Nutrient intakes, major food sources and dietary inadequacies of I nuit adults living in three remote communities in N unavut, C anada
Author(s) -
Sharma S.,
Hopping B. N.,
Roache C.,
Sheehy T.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12091
Subject(s) - medicine , nutrient , food frequency questionnaire , dietary reference intake , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , environmental health , vitamin c , cross sectional study , zoology , food science , gerontology , chemistry , organic chemistry , pathology , biology
Background I nuit in N unavut, C anada, are currently undergoing a nutritional transition that may contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic disease. Information is lacking about the extent to which contemporary I nuit diets are meeting current dietary recommendations. Methods A culturally appropriate quantitative food frequency questionnaire ( QFFQ ) developed and validated for I nuit in N unavut, C anada, was used to assess food and nutrient intake in a cross‐sectional sample of adults. Results Participants included 175 women and 36 men with mean (SD) ages of 42.4 (13.2) and 42.1 (15.0) years, respectively. The response rate for those who completed the study was 79% with 208 QFFQ s included for analysis. Reported mean daily energy intakes were: men 15 171 kJ (3626 kcal); women 11 593 kJ (2771 kcal). Dietary inadequacy was expressed as the percentage of participants reporting intakes below the sex‐ and age‐specific estimated average requirements ( EAR s). For nutrients without EAR s, adequate intakes were used. Energy and sodium intakes exceeded the recommendations. Less than 10% of participants met recommendations for dietary fibre intake. Vitamin E intakes were below EAR s for ≥97% of participants, whereas >20% reported inadequate vitamin A, folate and magnesium intakes. Among women, >50% reported inadequate calcium and vitamin D intakes. Non‐nutrient‐dense foods contributed 30% of energy, 73% of sugars and 22% of fat. Traditional foods contributed 56% of protein and 49% of iron. Conclusions The present study demonstrates a relatively high prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes among I nuit. The results may be used to monitor the nutrition transition among I nuit, evaluate nutritional interventions, and inform public health policy decision‐making.