Traditional diets around the world vary greatly, but analysis shows that Western diseases are rare where communities maintain intakes of traditional foods. Introduction of Western nutrition, including refined grains, refined sugar, low nutrient energy dense foods, as well as high alcohol intakes, has been reported to increase the prevalence of Western diseases in such communities. Inuit populations living around the arctic are one such group who maintain strong ties to their traditional diets, but who are currently in transition to adopting Western based nutrition. They are therefore of particular interest to researchers with regard the effect of this nutritional transition. While the white populations of Canada have very low levels of food insecurity, surveys have shown that 69.6% of Inuit households with 3 to 5 year old children were food insecure from 2007 to 2008, and in 56% of cases, this affected the nutrition of the children.
The increased consumption of processed Western foods by the Inuit populations has been reported by researchers investigating the food intakes of Inuits1. A cross-sectional food survey of 36 Inuit communities was undertaken between 2007 and 2008, and the food intakes of the Inuit populations assessed using 24 hour recall food diaries, based on the US department of Agriculture nutrient intake tables. In addition, important nutritional biomarkers were measured. The results showed that food insecurity was present in 62.6% of households and was associated with higher plasma levels of trans fatty acids, lower haemoglobin levels and lower serum ferritin. Men categorised as food insecure had lower energy intakes, as well as lower intakes of fibre, folate, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamin D. Women categorised as food insecure had had higher intakes of carbohydrates and lower intakes of fibre, folate, iron, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium and vitamin D.
However, consumption of a traditional Inuit diet was associated with increased intakes of protein, total energy, protein related micronutrients, vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as lower levels of carbohydrates, saturated fat, and fibre. In addition, those Inuits consuming a traditional diet had lower sodium to potassium ratios. The authors noted that there were significant interactions between traditional diets and food insecurity such that male Inuits who consumed no traditional diet and who were exposed to food insecurity had the lowest intakes of vitamin C, vitamin D and magnesium. For women, vitamin C intake was lowest in those consuming no traditional diet and who were also exposed to food insecurity. These results suggest that arctic populations of Inuits are exposed to serious food insecurities that could negatively affect their health, but that some protection is offered to this by adherence to their traditional diets.
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