Dietary patterns of Akwesasne Mohawk adolescents

Abstract

Nutrient-dilute but energy-dense foods characterize most of the top 10 dietary sources of energy, carbohydrates, and fat. Although micronutrient intakes are by and large adequate in the sample, micronutrients are most often derived from highly fortified food sources. Adolescent diets contain few naturally-occurring sources of many micronutrients, especially folate and iron. A narrow variety of foods dominate the top dietary sources across both macronutrient and micronutrients, strongly suggesting the need for increased dietary diversity within this age group.

The diets of school‐aged Aboriginal youths in Canada: a systematic review of the literature

“…A study of the school lunches and breakfasts of American Indian schoolchildren found high energy intakes from fat and saturated fat for both meals, along with inadequate intakes of folate (Story et al ., ). A study of Mohawk (Native American) youths of school age found that the diets included few naturally occurring sources of iron, zinc and folate (Ravenscroft et al ., ). Furthermore, sugar sweetened beverages were the second highest contributors to vitamin C intakes (Ravenscroft et al ., ).…”

“…A study of Mohawk (Native American) youths of school age found that the diets included few naturally occurring sources of iron, zinc and folate (Ravenscroft et al ., ). Furthermore, sugar sweetened beverages were the second highest contributors to vitamin C intakes (Ravenscroft et al ., ). Similar to the Canadian context, the diets of American Indian people as a population have been characterised by increased intakes of high‐energy, low‐nutrient‐dense foods and described as obesogenic (Compher, ).…”

Modern water: A biocultural approach to water pollution at the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation

“…Hoover's interviews with residents of Akwesasne report that “respondents have turned to outside sources of fish, from other communities or from grocery stores.” (Hoover, ). Diets of young adolescents 10 to 16.9 years of age were assessed as part of our first project (1995‐2000) 9 years after the fish advisories were issued (Ravenscroft et al ). The diets were nutrient dilute and energy dense with micronutrients coming from fortified foods far more than in naturally occurring sources.…”

“…A limited group of foods supply most of the energy, protein and micronutrient needs. At the same time, the adolescents consume far more servings of fats and oils than recommended by the USDA while not meeting the recommendations for servings from the bread/cereal/rice/pasta group, nor for fruit, nor for vegetables, (Ravenscroft et al ).…”