title: Innu food consumption patterns: traditional food and body mass index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Food consumption patterns of an Innu community were described and the benefits of traditional food (TF) were investigated in relation to body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted using food frequency and 24-hour recall questionnaires to evaluate consumption patterns (n=118) and to assess energy and nutrient intakes from TF and store-bought food (SBF) (n=161). Body mass index was calculated with a sub-sample of 45 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean yearly TF meal consumption was significantly related to age (p=0.05). Participants reporting high TF and low SBF consumption presented with a normal body weight (BMI=24.1) at the lower quartile and a slightly overweight status (BMI=25.8) at the median. Mean values for protein and carbohydrate intake were higher than the Dietary Reference Intakes, whereas dietary fibre intake was below these guidelines for both genders. Store-bought food provided higher levels of energy and nutrients, except for protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although Innu consume high amounts of TF and SBF, a lack of some essential nutrients was observed. Because TF intake was related to a tendency toward a lower BMI, a combined, targeted diet could be proposed. Health services could reinforce the importance of TF consumption and promote traditional dietary practices that offer advantages at many levels.
authors.affiliation: Départment des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Atikessé
authors.forename: Sylvie Boucher
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: de Grosbois
authors.forename: Mélissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: St-Jean
authors.forename: Basile Mashen
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Penashue
authors.forename: Manipia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benuen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D009753:Nutritive Value / Q000208:ethnology