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. 2021 Jun;24(9):2650-2668.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980020002402. Epub 2020 Sep 11.

Drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic: a scoping review

Matthew Little  1   2 , Hilary Hagar  1 , Chloe Zivot  1 , Warren Dodd  3 , Kelly Skinner  3 , Tiff-Annie Kenny  4 , Amy Caughey  1 , Josephine Gaupholm  1 , Melanie Lemire  4   5
Affiliations

Drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic: a scoping review

Matthew Little et al. Public Health Nutr. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: The current study undertook a systematic scoping review on the drivers and implications of dietary changes among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic.

Design: A keyword search of peer-reviewed articles was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Circumpolar Health Bibliographic Database and High North Research Documents. Eligibility criteria included all full-text articles of any design reporting on research on food consumption, nutrient intake, dietary adequacy, dietary change, food security, nutrition-related chronic diseases or traditional food harvesting and consumption among Inuit populations residing in Canada. Articles reporting on in vivo and in vitro experiments or on health impacts of environmental contaminants were excluded.

Results: A total of 162 studies were included. Studies indicated declining country food (CF) consumption in favour of market food (MF). Drivers of this transition include colonial processes, poverty and socio-economic factors, changing food preferences and knowledge, and climate change. Health implications of the dietary transition are complex. Micro-nutrient deficiencies and dietary inadequacy are serious concerns and likely exacerbated by increased consumption of non-nutrient dense MF. Food insecurity, overweight, obesity and related cardiometabolic health outcomes are growing public health concerns. Meanwhile, declining CF consumption is entangled with shifting culture and traditional knowledge, with potential implications for psychological, spiritual, social and cultural health and well-being.

Conclusions: By exploring and synthesising published literature, this review provides insight into the complex factors influencing Inuit diet and health. Findings may be informative for future research, decision-making and intersectoral actions around risk assessment, food policy and innovative community programmes.

Keywords: Food environments; Food security; Indigenous health; Inuit health; Nutrition transition.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting flow diagram showing four-stage article selection process used to identify articles on drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Number of relevant articles discussing drivers and implications of the dietary transition in the Canadian Arctic by year of publication (n 162)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Number of articles by region on drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic (n 162)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Number of articles by study type on drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic (n 162)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Number of articles by topic included in scoping review on drivers and health implications of the dietary transition among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Singer J, Putulik Kidlapik C, Martin B et al. (2014) Food consumption, obesity and abnormal glycaemic control in a Canadian Inuit community. Clin Obes 4, 316–323. - PubMed
    1. Blanchet C & Rochette L (2008) Nutrition and Food Consumption among the Inuit of Nunavik. Nunavik Inuit Health Survey 2004, Qanuippitaa? How are We? Quebec: Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS).
    1. Egeland GM, Johnson-Down L, Cao ZR et al. (2011) Food insecurity and nutrition transition combine to affect nutrient intakes in Canadian arctic communities. J Nutr 141, 1746–1753. - PubMed
    1. Gagne D, Blanchet R, Lauziere J et al. (2012) Traditional food consumption is associated with higher nutrient intakes in Inuit children attending childcare centres in Nunavik. Int J Circumpolar Health 71, 18401. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types