Sociodemographic associations of the dietary proportion of ultra-processed foods in First Nations peoples in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018 Sep;69(6):753-761. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1412405. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

Abstract

We investigated the food types consumed by 3276 First Nations citizens from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES) living on-reserve in Canada. Data from 24-h dietary recalls were classified into NOVA categories: fresh or minimally processed foods (MPF), processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods (UPF). Individuals were classified as traditional food (TF) eaters if they ate MPF of their First Nations culture. UPF accounted for 54.0% of energy intake; 23% of participants ate TF. Increasing age and household size, living in British Columbia and TF eating were associated with a lower intake of energy from UPF. Eating TF appeared to be protective against intake of UPF.

Keywords: Diet; First Nation; Indian; NOVA classification; North American; food: food processing: food choice; ultra-processed food.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Canada
  • Diet Surveys
  • Diet*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Food / classification*
  • Food Handling*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult