Contemporary Sahtú Dene/Métis use of traditional and market food

Variation in food and food group intake is defined by traditional and market food sources, season, and age‐group for the Sahtú Dene/Métis in 2 communities in the Canadian sub‐Arctic. Seven hundred and nine 24‐hr recalls were contributed by women, men and children in the communities. In addition, 273 household traditional food frequencies were completed during 3 interview seasons (spring, summer and winter). Land mammals and fish provided a total of 68% of traditional food items mentioned. Significantly more market food than traditional food was consumed by children, teens, and young adults. Older women, 41–60 years of age, consumed the greatest amount of energy as traditional food, 52.7%, in spring. Intake of traditional food in the winter and summer, however, was higher in absolute weight terms. Daily portions of traditional food used by all adults was high, and for men ranged from 198–692 g; when market meat was consumed, daily portions were lower (197–295 g). Less than one‐half of childrens’ recalls reported any fruit, vegetables or dairy products. Sucrose comprised about 15% of daily energy of children. Regular soft drinks and crystal drinks were reported in 82% and 66% of food records of young children and teens respectively; on days of consumption, average intake was 804 and 810 g for these age groups.