No description available.

No description available.

Food use and nutrient intake were studied with Cree women of Wemindji and Eastmain, Quebec. Twenty-four hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires were used among three age groups of women and in two seasons. Age had an effect on the mean amount of traditional food consumed (p $<$ 0.0001). Species and amounts of traditional food consumed varied by season. Ninety-four percent of women exceeded 2/3 of the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for protein and 80% exceeded 2/3 of the RNI for iron, despite lower than recommended reported energy intakes. Calcium intakes of less than 1/2 the RNI were reported by 44% of women. Mean total fat intake reported by young and middle adults was greater than 30% of total energy. Qualitative inquiry into changing food use revealed that most women agree that traditional food use has declined for a variety of reasons, and that community residents should use more traditional food.

No description available.

Niche segregation among 4 species of sculpins (Myoxocephalus quadricornis, M. scorpius, M. scorpioides and Gymnocanthus tricuspis) inhabiting the east coast of James bay was studied along estuarine and depth gradients at different times of year between 1987 and 1990. A high degree of habitat overlap and absence of feeding segregation among sculpins was observed. M. quadricornis and M. scorpius dominated catch in the estuary and in the coastal zone, respectively. M. scorpioides and G. tricuspis were less abundant and generally avoided the estuary. G. tricuspis was the only cottid which seemed to migrate. Significant differences in the diets were observed at different sites, seasons and years, but not along depth gradients (2 a 20 m). The distribution and abundance of sculpins appeared to be regulated by physical (salinity and temperature) and biological (competition) factors.

No description available.

The coastal fish community of Wemindji, eastern James Bay, was studied to describe seasonal utilization of the Maquatua River estuary and the adjacent coastal waters by marine and anadromous fishes. During summer, the estuarine fishes are numerically dominated by the fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) and the slender eelblenny (Lumpenus fabricii), and also by juvenile cisco (Coregonus artedii) and whitefish (C. clupeaformis). In coastal waters, three marine species are abundant: the shorthorn sculpin (M. scorpius), the arctic sculpin (M. scorpioides) and the Greenland cod (Gadus ogac). / Greenland cod were studied in the same period. During the summer, they principally occupied shallow coastal waters, characterized by a belt of eelgrass (Zostera marina). In winter, more cod were found in the estuary. This movement corresponds to sexual maturity; spawning occurs in April to June. Greenland cod life history variables differ from those of most arctic benthic fishes: they show rapid growth, high fecundity, low age at first maturity and high mortality.

No description available.

No description available.

The objectives of this research were to determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among the Cree of James Bay, identify independent risk factors for GDM and infant macrosomia in this population and compare the risk for GDM and infant macrosomia among Cree women with Canadian non-Native women. The prevalence of GDM using the National Diabetes Data Group criteria among the Cree was 12.8% (95% CI: 10.1--15.5), among the highest ever reported for an Aboriginal group. Independent risk factors for GDM among the Cree were advanced age, pregravid overweight and previous GDM. A comparison of risk of GDM between Cree and non-Native women revealed a significant interaction between ethnicity and pregravid weight. Overweight Cree women were at an elevated risk for GDM compared with overweight non-Native women (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3--3.8), whereas the risk for GDM was not statistically different between normal weight Cree and non-Native women (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.7--2.7) after adjusting for age, parity, and smoking status. Mean birth weight among Cree infants was 3859 +/- 519 g, the highest reported for any ethnic group in the world. Macrosomia prevalence was also high at 34.3%. Independent risk factors for macrosomia among the Cree were advanced age, pregravid overweight and GDM. A significant interaction was noted between ethnicity and GDM on risk for macrosomia. GDM increased the risk for macrosomia 4.5-fold among the Cree but had no significant effect among non-Natives. After adjusting for age, parity, pregravid weight, gestational weight gain, GDM, gestational duration and smoking status, Cree infants remained heavier than non-Native infants by 235 g. The results of this research indicate the need to control pregravid obesity through culturally acceptable dietary modifications and exercise in order to minimize the risk for GDM among Cree women. The significant impact of GDM on risk for macrosomia among the Cree calls for the re-evaluation of the existi