Factors associated with food insecurity among women in a small indigenous Canadian Arctic community

• Main Author: Goodman, Lauren Gabrielle, 1981-
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 2008
• Subjects: Food security > Northwest Territories; Diet > Northwest Territories; Gwich'in Indians > Northwest Territories; Women > Northwest Territories; Arctic; Canada; Northwest Territories
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=116099

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.