Abstract
Objectives
To identify and characterize the determinants of food insecurity among Inuit women.
Methods
A community-based study in Igloolik, Nunavut, using semi-structured interviews (n=36) and focus groups (n=5) with Inuit women, and key informants interviews with health professionals (n=13).
Results
There is a high prevalence of food insecurity among Inuit females in Igloolik, with women in the study reporting skipping meals and reducing food intake on a regular basis. Food insecurity is largely transitory in nature and influenced by food affordability and budgeting; food knowledge; education and preferences; food quality and availability; absence of a full-time hunter in the household; cost of harvesting; poverty; and addiction. These determinants are operating in the context of changing livelihoods and climate-related stresses.
Conclusion
Inuit women’s food insecurity in Igloolik is the outcome of multiple determinants operating at different spatial-temporal scales. Climate change and external socio-economic stresses are exacerbating difficulties in obtaining sufficient food. Coping strategies currently utilized to manage food insecurity are largely reactive and short-term in nature, and could increase food system vulnerability to future stresses. Intervention by local, territorial and federal governments is required to implement, coordinate and monitor strategies to enhance women’s food security, strengthen the food system, and reduce vulnerability to future stressors.
Key words: Food security, food insecurity, Inuit, women, Nunavut, climate change, social determinants of health
Résumé
Objectifs
Mettre en évidence et caractériser les déterminants de l’insécurité alimentaire chez les femmes inuites.
Méthode
Étude locale menée à Igloolik (Nunavut) à l’aide d’entretiens semi-dirigés (n=36) et de groupes de discussion (n=5) avec des femmes inuites, et d’entretiens avec des informateurs issus des professions de la santé (n=13).
Résultats
La prévalence de l’insécurité alimentaire est forte chez les femmes inuites d’Igloolik; les femmes de notre étude ont déclaré qu’elles sautaient des repas et qu’elles réduisaient régulièrement leurs rations alimentaires. Cette insécurité alimentaire est en grande partie transitoire; elle dépend de l’abordabilité des aliments et du budget; des connaissances en alimentation; de la scolarité et des préférences; de la qualité et de la disponibilité des aliments; de l’absence d’un chasseur à plein temps dans le ménage; du coût de la récolte; de la pauvreté; et de la toxicomanie. Ces déterminants se manifestent dans un contexte de stress lié au changement des moyens de subsistance et du climat.
Conclusion
L’insécurité alimentaire des femmes inuites d’Igloolik résulte de nombreux déterminants qui se manifestent à différentes échelles spatio-temporelles. Le stress dû au changement climatique et aux facteurs socioéconomiques externes exacerbe les difficultés à obtenir des aliments en quantité suffisante. Les stratégies d’adaptation utilisées actuellement pour gérer l’insécurité alimentaire sont pour la plupart réactives et à court terme, et elles pourraient augmenter la vulnérabilité du circuit alimentaire aux stress futurs. Une intervention des administrations locale, territoriale et fédérale est nécessaire pour mettre en œuvre, coordonner et surveiller des stratégies visant à améliorer la sécurité alimentaire des femmes, à renforcer le circuit alimentaire et à réduire la vulnérabilité aux futurs agents stressants.
Mots clés: sécurité alimentaire, insécurité alimentaire, Inuits, femmes, Nunavut, changement climatique, déterminants sociaux de la santé
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
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