Dietary change and traditional food systems of indigenous peoples

Abstract

Traditional food systems of indigenous peoples are defined as being composed of items from the local, natural environment that are culturally acceptable. Rapid dietary change of indigenous peoples worldwide is posing threats to use of this food and the traditional knowledge required for traditional food system maintainance. This review describes the many influences on choice of food by indigenous peoples, the qualities of traditional food systems, the forces of non-directed dietary change causing decline in use of traditional food systems, and the consequences of change for indigenous peoples. Several examples are given of dietary change research with indigenous peoples.