Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth
Abstract Background Research on Indigenous food literacy within Canada has been focused on northern and remote communities despite the fact there are considerable and unique barriers to food access, availability, and utilization in southern Indigenous communities. Food insecurity is also a prevalent...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13434-z |
| _version_ | 1818468062277402624 |
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| author | Rebecca Hanemaayer Hannah Tait Neufeld Kim Anderson Jess Haines Kelly Gordon Kitty R. Lynn Lickers Adrianne Xavier Laura Peach Mwalu Peeters |
| author_facet | Rebecca Hanemaayer Hannah Tait Neufeld Kim Anderson Jess Haines Kelly Gordon Kitty R. Lynn Lickers Adrianne Xavier Laura Peach Mwalu Peeters |
| author_sort | Rebecca Hanemaayer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Research on Indigenous food literacy within Canada has been focused on northern and remote communities despite the fact there are considerable and unique barriers to food access, availability, and utilization in southern Indigenous communities. Food insecurity is also a prevalent issue among Indigenous Peoples living in these more populous regions. Study objectives included investigating the determinants of food choice among youth, along with perceived opportunities that would improve food environments individually and at the community level. Methods This community-based study used Photovoice to explore the perceptions and experiences of traditional foods and the determinants of food choice among youth in the community of Six Nations of the Grand River. Participants took photos of their local food environments, including where foods were acquired, consumed, prepared, or shared, and participated in semi-structured interviews to share the stories behind these images. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in participants’ photos and interview content. Results Environmental factors were found to influence participants’ traditional and everyday food choices. Built, social, economic and ecological environments were described by the youth as distinct yet inter-related determinants that converge to influence individual food choice. Built environments had a notable impact on food choice, most notably at home and in school settings. Home and family were found to be facilitators of meal consistency and healthy food choices across participants. The social environment including participants’ relationships with their peers and community friends was often a barrier to healthy food choices. Eating at fast food outlets was a common social activity. The economic environment included cost deterrents associated with food choices and regular meals. The ecological environment was less of an influence and impacted the seasonal consumption of traditional and other locally harvested foods. Conclusions Overall, the study findings have generated important knowledge regarding food environments and literacy and serves as a unique example of how to explore the traditional and everyday food experiences of Indigenous youth. Recommendations will inform the development of new as well as existing initiatives and resources to enhance the holistic wellbeing of youth and the broader community. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:08:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8f9b5d961551468fb780cf31982c9766 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:08:51Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8f9b5d961551468fb780cf31982c97662022-12-22T02:29:54ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-06-0122111410.1186/s12889-022-13434-zExploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youthRebecca Hanemaayer0Hannah Tait Neufeld1Kim Anderson2Jess Haines3Kelly Gordon4Kitty R. Lynn Lickers5Adrianne Xavier6Laura Peach7Mwalu Peeters8Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of GuelphDepartment of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of GuelphDepartment of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of GuelphDepartment of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of GuelphSix Nations Health ServicesSix Nations Health ServicesIndigenous Studies Program, Department of Anthropology, McMaster UniversitySchool of Public Health Sciences, The University of WaterlooDepartment of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of GuelphAbstract Background Research on Indigenous food literacy within Canada has been focused on northern and remote communities despite the fact there are considerable and unique barriers to food access, availability, and utilization in southern Indigenous communities. Food insecurity is also a prevalent issue among Indigenous Peoples living in these more populous regions. Study objectives included investigating the determinants of food choice among youth, along with perceived opportunities that would improve food environments individually and at the community level. Methods This community-based study used Photovoice to explore the perceptions and experiences of traditional foods and the determinants of food choice among youth in the community of Six Nations of the Grand River. Participants took photos of their local food environments, including where foods were acquired, consumed, prepared, or shared, and participated in semi-structured interviews to share the stories behind these images. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in participants’ photos and interview content. Results Environmental factors were found to influence participants’ traditional and everyday food choices. Built, social, economic and ecological environments were described by the youth as distinct yet inter-related determinants that converge to influence individual food choice. Built environments had a notable impact on food choice, most notably at home and in school settings. Home and family were found to be facilitators of meal consistency and healthy food choices across participants. The social environment including participants’ relationships with their peers and community friends was often a barrier to healthy food choices. Eating at fast food outlets was a common social activity. The economic environment included cost deterrents associated with food choices and regular meals. The ecological environment was less of an influence and impacted the seasonal consumption of traditional and other locally harvested foods. Conclusions Overall, the study findings have generated important knowledge regarding food environments and literacy and serves as a unique example of how to explore the traditional and everyday food experiences of Indigenous youth. Recommendations will inform the development of new as well as existing initiatives and resources to enhance the holistic wellbeing of youth and the broader community.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13434-zIndigenousYouthFood literacyNutritionFood environmentsSocial determinants |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca Hanemaayer Hannah Tait Neufeld Kim Anderson Jess Haines Kelly Gordon Kitty R. Lynn Lickers Adrianne Xavier Laura Peach Mwalu Peeters Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth BMC Public Health Indigenous Youth Food literacy Nutrition Food environments Social determinants |
| title | Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth |
| title_full | Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth |
| title_short | Exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among Haudenosaunee female youth |
| title_sort | exploring the environmental determinants of food choice among haudenosaunee female youth |
| topic | Indigenous Youth Food literacy Nutrition Food environments Social determinants |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13434-z |
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