Objective
To investigate the relationships between fish/seafood consumption patterns and food security status among First Nations (FN) communities in Canada. We estimated the contribution of ...fish/seafood to daily nutrient requirements. Barriers to traditional food (TF) access including fish were summarized.
Methods
Data were collected by the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008–2018). The sample of this participatory study comprised 6258 randomly selected FN adults. Fish/seafood consumption was estimated with a food frequency questionnaire. Food security status was assessed with the Household Food Security Survey Module. The contribution of fish/seafood to protein, n-3 fatty acid, vitamin (A, B12, D, niacin) and mineral (selenium, zinc) requirements was assessed by comparison to Dietary Reference Intakes.
Results
Regional differences were observed in fish/seafood consumption patterns and their relationship with food security status. In the eastern regions (Ontario, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region), consumption of fish/seafood and other TF was significantly higher among food insecure compared with food secure FN participants. Severely food insecure men (particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region) tended to eat a higher amount of TF, including fish/seafood, compared with food secure and moderately food insecure men, while no difference was observed in women. Fish/seafood provided good sources of selected nutrients. However, the high cost of harvesting equipment, industry-related activities and climate change reduce access to fish/seafood and other wildlife.
Conclusion
Fish/seafood continues to be vital to the diet of FN communities. Focusing on policies that support FN increased access to fish/seafood has the potential to decrease food insecurity and support sustainable livelihoods. Future policies should focus on socio-economic determinants of food insecurity and support traditional harvesting and sustainable fisheries among FN communities.
Objective
To describe the rationale, the participatory nature of the methodology, and the lessons learned during the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based ...participatory research project implemented in eight Assembly of First Nations regions, which includes the entirety of Canada south of the 60
th
parallel.
Methods
FNFNES respected the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®) (
https://fnigc.ca/ocap
). A random sampling strategy based on an ecosystem framework comprising 11 ecozones was adopted to collect representative nutritional and environmental health results for all First Nations adults living on-reserve south of the 60
th
parallel. Data collection occurred during the fall months from 2008 to 2016. Respective First Nations were involved in the planning and implementation of data collection for the five principal components: household interviews, tap water sampling for metals, surface water sampling for pharmaceuticals, hair sampling for mercury, and traditional food sampling for contaminants.
Results
A total of 6487 adults from 92 First Nations participated in the Study (participation rate 78%). A higher percentage of females (66%) participated than males (34%). The average age of males and females was similar (44 and 45 years, respectively). This study offers a novel body of coherent and regionally representative evidence on the human dimension of the ongoing environmental degradation affecting First Nations.
Conclusion
FNFNES serves as a good example of participatory research. We encourage public health professionals to develop policy and programs building on the participatory dimension of the research as well as on its results. The information collected by the FNFNES is also important for community empowerment, environmental stewardship and the general promotion of good health by and for First Nations peoples in Canada.
Objectives
Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants in the environment. Little has been published about the presence of pharmaceuticals in waterbodies nearby or on reserve land of First Nations in ...Canada. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the level of pharmaceuticals in First Nations’ surface waters, (2) calculate the human health risks of the mixtures found, and (3) measure the exposure to pharmaceuticals in First Nations’ drinking water where source water was highly contaminated.
Methods
This participatory study measured the levels of 43 pharmaceuticals from surface water samples taken at three water sampling sites chosen by the 95 participating First Nations. The sites were in proximity to recreational areas, fishing areas, drinking water sources, and/or wastewater outflows. When elevated levels of pharmaceutical mixtures were found in samples, drinking water samples were obtained and analyzed for potential pharmaceuticals. Human health risks were calculated by an established protocol.
Results
In total, 432 samples were collected at 302 water sampling sites (285 surface water, 11 drinking water, and 6 wastewater sites). Quantifiable levels of 35 pharmaceuticals were found in 79 of the 95 (83%) participating First Nations at 193 of the 285 surface water sites (68%). Overall, the levels found were comparable to or lower than those found in other studies in Canada and worldwide.
Conclusion
In almost all participating First Nations, there is no human health risk from consuming surface water for drinking. However, surface water in the vicinity of major urban centres should not be used as secondary untreated water sources due to the elevated human health risk associated with exposure to the mixtures of multiple pharmaceuticals detected.
Objectives
The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based participatory research project, measured the levels of metals of health concern and the levels of metals ...that have operational guidance (OG) and aesthetic objectives (AO) in drinking water of First Nations (FN) south of the 60
th
parallel.
Methods
Both stagnant (first draw) and flushed tap water samples were collected from participating households in 91 FN representing 11 ecozones. The concentrations of metals were quantified and compared to Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ).
Results
In total, 1516 FN households participated in this study component. Exceedances of the 2019 GCDWQ for the health-based maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) were found for five metals: lead 8.4% of households (first draw), manganese 4.0%, uranium 1.6%, aluminum 1.3%, and copper 0.2% (flushed). Flushing taps resulted in a decrease to 0.7% of households exceeding the lead MAC. Exceedances of the current OG for aluminum were found in 14.2% and the exceedances of the proposed OG were found in 18.1% of households (flushed). Exceedances of the AO (flushed) were as follows: manganese 12.8%, sodium 5.1%, iron 3.5%, and copper 0.4%. Results of the study were compared to provincial surveys where the data were available. Taste and colour were reported to be the main reasons for limiting the use of tap water.
Conclusion
Overall, the quality of drinking water with respect to trace metals of human health concern is satisfactory. However, elevated lead levels were found in some FN communities. Until appropriate action can take place, it was recommended to flush the water before use to reduce the lead levels.
Objective
The primary objective of this participatory study was to assess the current body burden of mercury among First Nations adults.
Methods
The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment ...Study (2008–2018) collected regionally representative data from First Nations adults living on reserves south of the 60
th
parallel. Mercury was analyzed in hair as a preferred biomarker for prolonged exposure. Hair samples, a 5 mm bundle cut from the occipital region, were collected from the participants who gave consent and measured for total mercury concentrations using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry.
Results
In total, 3404 First Nations adults living in 92 communities provided hair samples. This represents 52.5% of the respondents to the household surveys. The mean hair mercury concentrations were 0.56 μg/g among all participants and 0.34 μg/g among women of childbearing age (WCBA). There were 64 exceedances of Health Canada’s mercury biomonitoring guidelines (44 WCBA, 8 women aged 51+ years, 3 men aged 19–50 years, and 9 men aged 51+ years).
Conclusion
Current mercury exposure no longer presents a significant clinical health risk in most of the First Nations population south of the 60
th
parallel across Canada. However, mercury exposure continues to be an ongoing environmental public health concern that requires continued monitoring and assessment. Women of childbearing age (19–50 years) and older individuals living in northern ecozones and Quebec have higher mercury exposures, often exceeding Health Canada’s guidelines. Careful risk communication and risk management programs need to focus on northern ecozones and Quebec.
Objective
We previously examined the associations between dietary dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) intake from fish consumption and type 2 diabetes (T2D) ...prevalence in Ontario and Manitoba. This study aims to further explore the relationship in a regionally representative sample of First Nations adults living on-reserve across Canada.
Methods
Dietary, health and lifestyle data collected by the cross-sectional First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008–2018) were analyzed. This participatory study included 6091 First Nations adult participants who answered questions on T2D. The consumption of locally caught fish was estimated with a food frequency questionnaire. A total of 551 samples from 96 fish species were collected and analyzed for the presence of DDE and PCBs. The associations between fish and dietary DDE/PCBs intake with self-reported T2D were investigated using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for confounders.
Results
Dietary exposure to DDE (>2.11 ng/kg/bw) and PCBs (>1.47 ng/kg/bw) vs no exposure was positively associated with T2D with ORs of 2.33 (95% CI: 1.24–4.35) for DDE and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.01–3.59) for PCBs. The associations were stronger among females (DDE OR = 3.11 (1.41–6.88); PCBs OR = 1.76 (1.10–3.65)) and older individuals (DDE OR = 2.64 (1.12–6.20); PCBs OR = 1.44 (1.01–3.91)) as compared with males and younger participants. Also, significant dose-response relationships were found for fish consumption in females only.
Conclusion
This study confirms our previous findings that dietary DDE/PCBs exposure may increase the risk of T2D. The effect of DDE/PCBs from fish consumption is driven by geographical differences in DDE/PCBs concentrations in fish and by the amount of fish consumed, and is more prominent in females than in males.
Objectives
First Nations may have a higher risk of contaminant exposure from the consumption of traditional foods. The objective of this study was to measure concentrations of metals and ...organochlorines in traditional foods commonly consumed by First Nations in Canada and estimate the risk from dietary exposure.
Methods
Data were collected from the participatory First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008–2018). Traditional food samples were collected by community members and concentrations of metals and organochlorines were measured. The population-weighted mean daily contaminant intake from traditional food items was estimated. Hazard quotients (HQs) were calculated by dividing contaminant intake with the toxicological reference values (TRVs).
Results
A total of 2061 food samples (different parts and organs) from 221 species were collected. The highest concentrations of cadmium were found in the kidneys of land mammals: moose kidney was the most significant contributor to intake. The meat of land mammals and birds had the highest lead concentrations and were the most significant contributors to intake. Arsenic was highest in seaweed, and prawn was the most significant contributor. Mercury and methyl mercury were highest in harp seal meat, with walleye/pickerel contributing most to intake. Harp seal meat also had the highest p,p′-DDE and PCB concentrations, and ooligan grease and salmon were the most significant contributors to intake. The percentage of adults eating traditional food who exceeded the TRVs was 1.9% for cadmium, 3.7% for lead, 13.6% for arsenic, 0.7% for mercury, and 0% for p,p′-DDE and PCBs. All median HQs, and most 95th percentile HQs, were less than 1.
Conclusion
These results can be used as a baseline of contaminant levels and exposure in traditional foods for future monitoring programs and to support risk assessment programs.
Methyl Mercury (MeHg) exposure is a global environmental health concern. Indigenous peoples around the world are susceptible to MeHg exposure from often higher fish consumption compared to general ...populations. The objective of this study was to estimate dietary exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) among First Nations living on-reserve in the province of Ontario, Canada. A total diet study was constructed based on a 24-h recall from the First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study (FNFNES), and measured contaminant concentrations from Health Canada for market foods, and FNFNES for traditional foods. A probabilistic assessment of annual and seasonal traditional food consumptions was conducted for 1429 adult participants. Results were compared to exposures in the general Canadian population and reference values from Health Canada for adults and women of childbearing age (ages 19–50). Results indicated traditional foods to be the primary contributor to the dietary total MeHg intake (72%). The average dietary total MeHg exposure in the First Nations population in Ontario (0.039 μg/kg/d) was 1.6 times higher than the general Canadian population; however, the majority (97.8%) of the population was below the reference values. Mercury concentrations in participants’ hair samples (n = 744) ranged from 0.03 to 13.54 µg/g, with an average of 0.64 µg/g (geometric average of 0.27 µg/g). Less than 1% of the population had a hair mercury value above the 6 µg/g level, and 1.3% of women of child bearing age had values greater than 2 µg/g. Fish species contributing to the MeHg intake included pickerel-walleye, pike, perch and trout. Only 7.9% of the population met the recommended fish consumption rate of two, 3.5 oz servings per week from the American Heart Association. Therefore, consumption of lower trophic level fish can be promoted to provide the maximum nutritional benefit with minimal risk of MeHg exposure.
•A total dietary MeHg exposure assessment was conducted for 1429 First Nations participants.•Traditional foods contributed to 72% of the dietary MeHg intake.•The average dietary MeHg was 0.039 μg/kg/d.•The majority (97.8%) of the population was below the reference values.•Only 7.9% of the population ate two servings of fish per week.
This perspective paper argues for an urgent need to monitor a set of 12 concrete, measurable indicators of food and water security in the Arctic over time. Such a quantitative indicator approach may ...be viewed as representing a reductionist rather than a holistic perspective, but is nevertheless necessary for actually knowing what reality aspects to monitor in order to accurately understand, quantify, and be able to project critical changes to food and water security of both indigenous and non-indigenous people in the Arctic. More relevant indicators may be developed in the future, taking us further toward reconciliation between reductionist and holistic approaches to change assessment and understanding. However, the potential of such further development to improved holistic change assessment is not an argument not to urgently start to monitor and quantify the changes in food and water security indicators that are immediately available and adequate for the Arctic context.
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