Indigenous populations in Canada are heavily affected by the burden of obesity, and certain communities, such as First Nations on reserve, are not included in the sampling framework of large national health surveys. A scoping review of ever published original research reporting obesity rates (body mass index ≥ 30), among adult Indigenous peoples in Canada, was conducted to identify studies that help close the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data gap for obesity prevalence in Indigenous populations in Canada and to make comparisons based on ethnicity, sex, time, and geography. First Nations on reserve with self-reported height and weight had higher rates of obesity (30%–51%) than First Nations off reserve (21%–42%) and non-Indigenous populations (12%–31%) in their respective province or territory, with the exception of Alberta, where rates in First Nations on reserve (30% and 36%) were lower or similar to those reported in First Nations off reserve (38%). First Nations on reserve with predominantly measured height and weight (42%–66%) had higher rates of obesity compared to Inuit in Quebec (28%), Nunavut (33%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (41%), while the rates were similar to those in Inuit in Northwest Territories (49%). Obesity in these large studies conducted among Inuit was based solely on measured height and weight. Studies in First Nations and Inuit alike showed higher prevalence of obesity in women, as well as an increase with time. No recent studies measured the obesity rates for First Nations in Yukon and Northwest Territories and for Métis living in settlements of Northern Alberta. Researchers are encouraged to conduct total diet studies in these regions, and to use existing data to analyze the associations between obesity, road access, latitude, food environment, and traditional food intake, to further inform community planning and development.
Objective. To identify the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among children under 6 months of age from three regions in the South and Grand’Anse Departments of Haiti. Methods. Data were pooled from three cross-sectional surveys conducted yearly from 2017 to 2019 with the guardians of 638 children under 6 months of age. A non-quantitative 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess EBF the day before the survey. Using unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios, associations were assessed between EBF and several explanatory factors: infant’s age and sex; maternal age, educational attainment, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), dietary diversity, number of children under 5 years of age, responsibility for the main or secondary source of income of the household, initiation of breastfeeding within one hour, knowledge of EBF duration; household severe food insecurity, socioeconomic status, dependency ratio, region, and residential zone (urban/rural). Results. Prevalence of EBF was 68% in the study sample. From the fully adjusted model, prevalence of EBF was statistically significantly higher among younger infants, mothers with larger MUAC, who met or exceeded Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), who initiated breastfeeding within one hour, who were knowledgeable of the recommendations for EBF duration, and living in the Jérémie region. Conclusions. The main determinants of EBF identified in this study attest to the importance of breastfeeding mothers’ access to nutritious food for the practice and maintenance of EBF and the need for geographically equitable access to health services and education that support breastfeeding.
Background The prenatal, perinatal, postnatal and nutritional (A3PN) support study was a 4‐year initiative aimed to reduce maternal mortality in Haiti. A cross‐sectional study was developed to collect the baseline data for evaluation purposes of the A3PN. This study aimed to determine the factors contributing to dietary diversity (DD) in Haitian children aged 6–23 months. Methods A cross‐sectional study during two seasons (the lean season and the harvest season) was carried out in Haiti to assess the DD of children and their mothers using non‐quantitative 24‐h recalls. Indicators of DD were minimum dietary diversity for children (MDD‐C) and minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD‐W). Mid‐upper arm circumference was measured in women and children, and food security was assessed using the Household Hunger Scale. Focus groups were also conducted to gain a better understanding of the quantitative findings. Results Only 7.3% of the children included in this study met the MDD‐C. Factors associated with MDD‐C were the season (odds ratio [OR]: 0.141 [0.039–0.513]), land ownership or rental (OR: 4.603 [1.233–17.188]), maternal education (OR: 0.092 [0.011–0.749]), the mother's responsibility for the main or secondary source of income for the household (OR: 2.883 [1.030–8.069]) and her DD (OR: 5.690 [1.916–16.892]). Focus groups revealed the existence of various food restrictions. Conclusions The results indicated that the low prevalence of MDD‐C in three regions of study in Haiti is indicative of a serious public health concern that might be further aggravated by local food taboos. They also suggest that to fight against hunger, it is necessary to focus on women's well‐being.
Background Global recommendations for optimal breastfeeding include early initiation, exclusivity for six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond. Although breastfeeding is near universal in Haiti, gaps in optimal practices persist. Determinants of breastfeeding practices are complex, and a contextualized understanding is needed to strengthen breastfeeding support interventions. We conducted a qualitative study to explore mothers’ perceptions of factors influencing breastfeeding practices in rural Haiti. Methods Focus group discussions were held in eight rural communes participating in a nutrition project. Study participants (n=86) were recruited from mothers’ support groups. A moderator facilitated the focus groups in Haitian Creole using a question guide to elicit observations about community breastfeeding practices related to early initiation, colostrum feeding, complementary foods and beverages, and breastfeeding cessation. Focus groups were recorded, and three observers took notes which were compiled into a single report of key points and validated by participants following each session. Quotes representing the key points were selected from the audio recordings, translated into English and analyzed to identify explanatory themes. Results Participants described breastfeeding for 12-18 months as the norm in study areas, with early and frequent use of additional foods and beverages. Three explanatory themes were identified, related to concerns for (i) infant well-being, including digestive health, nutritional needs and contentment; (ii) transmission of negative maternal emotional and physical states through breast milk; and (iii) maternal well-being, including effects on breastfeeding practices of maternal illness, hunger, stress, and competing time pressures. Underlying all these concerns is the context of rural poverty and the cultural meanings of breastfeeding. Conclusions Findings suggest that practices which compromise global breastfeeding recommendations may persist because of their perceived value in addressing concerns for infant and maternal well-being in the challenging context of rural poverty, food insecurity and poor health. Multi-sectoral interventions are needed to mitigate these underlying contributors and create an enabling environment for early, exclusive and continued breastfeeding.
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