Newly released results from a 2016 study on the diet, nutrition, and environment of First Nations in Quebec and Labrador show many positive results.
Newly released results from a 2016 study on the diet, nutrition, and environment of First Nations in Quebec and Labrador show many positive results. Ninety-five percent of adults interviewed indicated that they were able to access traditional food: commonly consumed foods include moose, Labrador tea and blueberry and close to 80% of households were directly involved in harvesting.
The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES) is a partnership between First Nations in Quebec/Labrador, the Assembly of First Nations, the University of Ottawa and the Université de Montréal. It is the first study of its kind at the Canadian level. The recently published report details the dietary patterns, lifestyle and general health status of 10 First Nations from the AFN Quebec/Labrador region.
Eighty-four percent of participants said they would like to have more traditional food which, when included in the diet, is a key source of iron and other essential nutrients. The results showed that the diet improves when traditional food such as strawberries, caribou and salmon, is present.
While 59% and 60% of households, respectively, reported hunting and fishing, many indicated that barriers preventing them from harvesting more often included insufficient human and capital resources for harvesting, along with availability and time.
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