NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: health, food security, food supply, nutrition

Objective(s): The goal of the program is to promote healthy food consumption and activity through education and improved availability, and to prevent chronic disease.

Project Description: The goal of the program is to promote healthy food consumption and activity through education and improved availability, and to prevent chronic disease. This is a multi-phased project begun in October 2006, which aims to reduce chronic disease by working with communities in order to develop the Healthy Foods North intervention program. Data was gathered using local residents and health staff following training. Food recalls were completed in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk by the health staff. The Food Frequency and the Adult Impact Questionnaires were based on these recalls. Early findings shared with communities through workshops provided input into the project design. Trained community residents collected information with the questionnaires. Further questionnaires and food recalls are to be collected, mainly in Ulukhaktok (up to 50 people). Preliminary results show that traditional foods are consumed, however intake of fruits and vegetables are extremely low, as are intakes of nutrients such as Vitamin D, fiber and Calcium. This indicates the need for this program, which will reduce the risk for several chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, and heart disease). Communities identified the approaches and foods to be promoted. The project aims to improve diet by maintaining or increasing traditional food consumption, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, decreasing consumption of fatty and sugary foods, increasing physical activity (traditional activities and community-based programs), and providing nutrition education. Information on heights, weights and physical activity will be collected with approximately 80 participants. Measurements will be repeated at the end of the project to determine height and weight change. The local language will be used as appropriate. Local staff to run the project will be hired and trained in 2008, and a website for Healthy Foods North will be available. Results will be communicated through local Hamlets and Inuvialuit Organizations. Formal reports will be prepared and submitted as appropriate (with copies to Aurora Research Institute library). Fieldwork will be conducted from February 15 to December 31, 2008 in Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok.