NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: contaminants, health, bioaccumulation, traditional food, market food, nutrition

Objective(s): The Northern Contaminants Programme has identified as policy objectives to define levels of exposure to contaminants in the Arctic. Interpretation of levels of exposure further needs consideration of benefits of traditional food as well as other risks specific to market food. The objectives of this study are therefore: 1) derive quantitative estimates of traditional and market food among Inuit; 2) complete databases of nutrient and contaminant contents of traditional food; define benefits of traditional food in terms of nutritional, socioeconomic and cultural significance; define the levels of exposure to contaminants (heavy metals and organochlorines).

Project Description: The objectives of this study are therefore: 1) derive quantitative estimates of traditional and market food among Inuit; 2) complete databases of nutrient and contaminant contents of traditional food; define benefits of traditional food in terms of nutritional, socioeconomic and cultural significance; define the levels of exposure to contaminants (heavy metals and organochlorines). In each community, a random sample of 30 households is drawn. One man, one woman, and one adolescent when available are invited to participate in a one-hour confidential interview. Interviews are conducted by local researchers in the language of the respondent's choice. The local researcher is also responsible for collecting traditional food samples available in the community. Approximately 10 traditional food samples will be collected in each community to complete the nutrient/contaminant databases. The local researcher is working in collaboration with a research nutritionist available for the duration of data collection.