Modeling the Inuit diet to minimize contaminant while maintaining nutrient intakes

• Main Author: Li, Ying Chun, 1972-
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 2006
• Subjects: Inuit > Food > Canada; Northern; Inuit > Canada; Northern > Nutrition; Climatic changes > Environmental aspects > Canada; Arctic; Canada; Baffin; inuit; Inuvialuit; Kitikmeot; Kivalliq; ringed seal
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=101605

The Arctic environment is changing rapidly. The purposes of this study were: (1) to predict the possible changes of diet composition and the subsequent changes in nutrient intakes as a result of environmental changes; (2) to explore the possibility of minimizing the contaminant exposure while maintaining the energy and nutrient intakes using liner modeling. It was found that a decrease of 10% or 50% of caribou or ringed seal will result in decreases for many key nutrients such as protein, zinc, and iron. It is theoretically feasible to minimize each contaminant intake while maintaining energy and nutrients at the levels of the CINE dietary survey in 2000 for Inuit in the Inuvialuit, Kitikmeot, and Kivalliq regions. However, it is theoretically infeasible for Inuit in the Labrador and Baffin regions under other hypothetical conditions. The modeling results would be useful for Inuit to make informed food choice decisions.