Attributes of vitamin A- and calcium-rich food items consumed in K'asho Got'ine, Northwest Territories, Canada

This study documents specific cultural, ecologic, and socioeconomic factors , as well as individual preferences influencing intake of vitamin A- and ca lcium-rich food items by Indigenous People (Dene/Metis) in K'asho Got'ine, a small community on the banks of the Mackenzie River. 27 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. Four focus group discussions and a food preference as sessment were conducted. A total of 39 adults participated. The major food attributes limiting intakes of traditional food included lack of equipment for hunting/fishing, seasonality, distance traveled to obtain food, occasio nal unhealthy appearance of food, and no hunter/fisher in the household. Th e major attributes limiting intakes of market food were cost, freshness, in tolerance to certain items, unavailability, and unfamiliarity. Preferred tr aditional foods included rabbit liver, Canada goose meat (smoked/dried), ra bbit flesh. and caribou head for land animals and inconnu eggs and burbot l iver for fish. This study identified available and underused traditional an d market food items rich in vitamin A and calcium that are most acceptable to the community and may be promoted in future nutrition intervention progr ams. It also documents a qualitative research process that may be applicabl e to other communities.