To compare dietary intake and quality among adult Inuit by smoking status.

A cross-sectional study using data from a validated quantitative FFQ.

Three isolated communities in Nunavut, Canada.

Adult Inuit (n 208), aged between 19 and 79 years, from randomly selected households.

Average energy intake did not differ between male smokers (n 22) and non-smokers (n 14; 16 235 kJ and 13 503 kJ; P = 0·18), but was higher among female smokers (n 126) compared with non-smokers (n 46; 12 704 kJ and 8552 kJ; P < 0·0001). Average daily nutrient intakes were similar among men and higher among female smokers compared with non-smokers for all nutrients (P ≤ 0·05) except n-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D and Se. Female smokers had lower intake densities of thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, Mg, Na (P ≤ 0·05), protein, n-3 fatty acids, cholesterol, Fe (P ≤ 0·01), vitamin B12 and Se (P ≤ 0·001). Between 20 % and 50 % of male and female smokers were below the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for Ca, folate, Mg and vitamins A and K, and more than 50 % were below the DRI for fibre and vitamin E. The proportion of smokers below the DRI was lower for all nutrients, except fibre and folate among men. Among smokers, non-nutrient-dense foods and traditional foods contributed less to energy (−2·1 % and −2·0 %, respectively).

Adult smokers consumed fewer nutrient-dense, traditional foods, but had increased energy intake, which likely contributed to fewer dietary inadequacies compared with non-smokers. Promoting traditional food consumption supplemented with market-bought fruits and vegetables is important to improve dietary quality, especially among smokers.

As part of a larger study designed to understand how to protect the food and nutrition security of individuals living in a protected area of Gabon, we assessed their nutritional status and its relationship to dietary adequacy and health status.

A 7 d food consumption survey was conducted during each of the two major seasons using a weighing method. Data were also collected on weight, height and health of individuals as well as on sociodemographic characteristics and potential determinants of the nutrition situation.

Four rural communities were intentionally selected to represent both inland and coastal settings and access to food markets.

Approximately 500 individuals representing over 90 % of the population of these communities participated in the survey during each season.

Undernutrition was present in the area, particularly among children <5 years of age and the elderly. Health was generally good and under-fives were most frequently ill. Energy, Fe and vitamin A requirements of individuals were generally not satisfied; the opposite was true for protein. The estimated prevalence of inadequate intakes of energy and vitamin A was very high in most age groups. Global nutrient adequacy was associated with nutritional outcome.

Individuals do not eat enough and breast-feeding practices are poor. Many suffer from undernutrition, particularly young children and the elderly. The results confirm the need to investigate the determinants of this poor nutrition situation to ensure that protection of natural resources will not be associated with harm to the well-being of the population.

Information is needed on dietary adequacy of Arctic indigenous populations in Canada. Extensive work has been completed on composition of Arctic food and food use, and dietary reference intakes are available.

To complete the first comprehensive dietary adequacy assessment of three populations of adult Arctic indigenous people.

Dietary assessment interviews were conducted with randomly selected indigenous adults during two seasons in 44 representative communities of Yukon First Nations (n = 797), Dene/Métis, (n = 1007) and Inuit (n = 1525).

Twenty-four-hour recalls were used to derive adjusted distributions of usual nutrient intakes in four age/gender groups for assessment of dietary adequacy for carbohydrate, dietary fibre, protein, n–3 fatty acids, n–6 fatty acids, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E.

Nutrients with high prevalence of adequacy for most age/gender groups in all three cultures were protein, carbohydrate, n–3 fatty acids, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, riboflavin and vitamin B6; some individuals exceeded the upper intake level for iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin D. Estimated average requirement nutrients of concern for adequacy were magnesium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E; however, a few age/gender groups were exceptions. Prevalence of inadequacy for AI nutrients which may be undesirably high were fibre, n–6 fatty acids and calcium. Vitamin D was more adequate in Inuit women and men than for Yukon First Nations or Dene/Métis.

Unique patterns of dietary adequacy exist among Arctic indigenous peoples. Local wildlife food sources and market food sources should be maximised for their nutrient contributions to Arctic diets.