title: Dietary practices and influences on diet intake among women in a Woodland Cree community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overweight and obesity are increasing concerns among Aboriginal women, and lifestyle behaviours (i.e. dietary patterns and physical activity) are considered to be contributing factors. The present study aimed to explore the social, cultural, behavioural and environmental factors influencing diet intake from a trans-generational perspective and to characterise the dietary practices among Woodland Cree women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods design using a concurrent triangulation approach explored the factors influencing diet intake and healthy eating among First Nations women on a reserve community in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Dietary practices were assessed using 24-h recalls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dietary analysis revealed low intake of fruits and vegetables and milk and alternatives in the sample, with high intake of 'other' foods. Limited amounts of traditional food (TF) were reported. Taste primarily influenced food choice, with a preference for TF highlighted among older participants. Healthy eating was considered to be a health-promoting behaviour, yet a lack of availability, high costs and difficulties accessing various foods were the most noted barriers to healthy eating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dietary practices in this sample indicate the limited consumption and variety of TF and fruits and vegetables, and a high consumption of 'other' foods, which suggests inadequate intakes of various vitamins and nutrients. The findings from a trans-generational perspective highlight various barriers across the age groups that can substantially impact food choices, and reinforces the need for community and age-specific strategies to address issues of exposure, accessibility and affordability to nutritious foods that improve the diet and preserve cultural identity among residents living in reserve communities.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Health Education, Schulich School of Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Bruner
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Chad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000208:ethnology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D058870:Food, Organic; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D012525:Saskatchewan; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aboriginal; environment; healthy eating; mixed methods; women