Research was conducted to better understand the food insecurity (FI) experience among women in a small indigenous Canadian Arctic community. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in January-February 2006 with 54 women (20-40 years). Interviews were conducted on food insecurity, lifestyle, health, dietary self-efficacy and traditional food (TF) frequency; anthropometry data were also gathered. FI affected 55% of participating households in the community. Issues of food availability, quality and variety; lack of consumer skills; and lack of TF access were recognized as potential barriers to food security. Women from FI households were more likely to report an inability to access TF (p=0.0171). No associations were found between food security status and dietary self-efficacy or TF frequency of use. Current measures, programs and policies addressing FI need to consider unique barriers facing Indigenous Peoples living in northern Canada, including the barriers that affect access to TF resources.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cadmium (Cd) exposure level from traditional food in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories. Cd concentration in the liver and kidney of caribou and moose exceeded the action level (1 $ mu$g/g) established by Agriculture Canada, but the frequencies of consumption of these foods were relatively low. Cd intakes from traditional food ranged from 0.01 to 1713 $ mu$g/day/person. Average Cd intakes from traditional food were estimated to be 10% and 6% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), 7 $ mu$g/kg body weight/person, for women and men, respectively. The major contributors to the total Cd intake on a population basis were moose liver for women, and flesh of moose and caribou for men. The average Cd inhaled from cigarette smoking was 21.1 $ pm$ 9.1 $ mu$g/day/person. Total Cd intakes from traditional food and smoking were estimated to be 24% and 20% of the PTWI for women and men, respectively. The total Cd intakes of smokers and nonsmokers were significantly different (p $<$ 0.001). The total Cd intake via market and traditional food, and cigarette smoking was 246.4 $ mu$g/week which was lower than the PTWI, 500 $ mu$g/week. Another objective of this study was to investigate an effect of food preparation on Cd speciation in food. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

No description available.