Using First Nations Children’s Perceptions of Food and Activity to Inform an Obesity Prevention Strategy

Abstract

Obesity and associated health risks disproportionately affect Aboriginal (First Nations) children in Canada. The purpose of this research study was to elicit First Nations children’s perceptions of food, activity, and health to inform a community-based obesity prevention strategy. Fifteen 4th- and 5th-Grade students participated in one of three focus group interviews that utilized drawing and pile-sorting activities. We used an ecological lens to structure our findings. Analyses revealed that a variety of interdependent sociocultural factors influenced children’s perceptions. Embedded within a cultural/traditional worldview, children indicated a preference for foods and activities from both contemporary Western and traditional cultures, highlighted family members as their main sources of health information, and described information gaps in their health education. Informed by children’s perspectives, these findings offer guidance for developing an obesity prevention strategy for First Nations children in this community.

Determinants of Diet for Urban Aboriginal Youth

“…Engaging with family was an important aspect of eating traditional food. Recently, Pigford et al (2012) also found that Aboriginal children's experiences around traditional food involved nuclear and extended family. Thompson, Gifford, and Thorpe (2000) suggests that for Aboriginal People, family is central to every aspect of food, including choice, preparation, and what it represents.…”

“…Past research has shown that culture is a determinant of Aboriginal Peoples' diets, including Aboriginal children living in rural or on-reserve First Nations communities (Pigford, Willows, Hold, Newton, & Ball, 2012;Willows, 2005). Aboriginal youth's lives are often a blend of both modern and traditional lifestyles.…”

“…The modern realities of Western living are mixed with cultural practices and values. This blending of modern and traditional lifestyles results in dietary determinants that are unique from those of non-Aboriginal youth (Gideon, Gray, Nicholas, & Ha, 2008;Pigford et al, 2012). Despite culture being a known determinant of diet for Aboriginal youth, few, if any, studies have been conducted to better understand the role of culture in the determinants of diet for urban Aboriginal youth.…”

Full Issue

“…Younger community members often report a preference for store-bought foods (Bruner & Chad, 2013), as was also mentioned by participants with young children in this study, along with women who did not have the same familial connections with these foods. Research in rural and urban Alberta is, however, demonstrating that family and school can positively influence traditional food experiences (Kerpan et al, 2015;Pigford, Willows, Holt, Newton, & Ball, 2012). Increased exposure to these foods through school programs, cultural activities, and family events has been shown to increase both the frequency of consumption and taste preferences among urban youth.…”

“…Increased exposure to these foods through school programs, cultural activities, and family events has been shown to increase both the frequency of consumption and taste preferences among urban youth. On reserves, knowledge gained from Elders and family members most consistently informed children's food preferences and health beliefs (Pigford et al, 2012).…”