An empirical assessment of food security on First Nations in Canada

Using data generated from surveys conducted on First Nations throughout Canada, we use regression analysis to examine factors influencing food insecurity. To our knowledge, this is the first time a regression‐based analysis has been conducted to examine food insecurity on First Nations in Canada. As...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie
Main Authors: B. James Deaton, Alexander Scholz, Bethany Lipka
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/cjag.12208
Description
Summary:Using data generated from surveys conducted on First Nations throughout Canada, we use regression analysis to examine factors influencing food insecurity. To our knowledge, this is the first time a regression‐based analysis has been conducted to examine food insecurity on First Nations in Canada. As expected, income is inversely related to the likelihood that one reports their household as experiencing food insecurity. In addition, individuals in extremely remote areas are more likely to report their household as experiencing food insecurity. Although traditional food consumption is prevalent, we do not find evidence that it is associated with reductions in the prevalence of self‐reported household food insecurity. We find that gender and mental health are associated with perceived household food insecurity. Although this study is novel, for reasons and limitations detailed in the paper, it should be viewed as an initial effort to establish potential relationships that underscore one of the most important issues facing Canada: the high prevalence of food insecurity in First Nations communities. À l'aide de données provenant d'enquêtes menées auprès des Premières nations du Canada, nous avons utilisé une analyse de régression pour examiner les facteurs influençant l'insécurité alimentaire. À notre connaissance, il s'agit de la première fois qu'une analyse fondée sur la régression est menée pour examiner l'insécurité alimentaire chez les Premières Nations du Canada. Comme prévu, le revenu est inversement lié à la probabilité que l'on déclare que son ménage soit en situation d'insécurité alimentaire. En outre, les personnes vivant dans des zones extrêmement éloignées sont plus susceptibles d'indiquer que leur ménage est en situation d'insécurité alimentaire. Bien que la consommation d'aliments traditionnels soit répandue, nous ne trouvons pas de preuve que cela soit associé à une réduction de la prévalence autodéclarée de l'insécurité alimentaire des ménages. Nous constatons que le genre et la santé mentale sont ...