Abstract
Objective
To compare the dietary intake and food choices between Francophone Canadians in a state of linguistic minority (outside of Quebec) and the English-speaking majority.
Methods
We used the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycle 2.2 (general health and 24-hour dietary recalls) to describe dietary intake of Francophone Canadians (excluding Quebec) and compare them to the English-speaking majority. The linguistic variable was determined by languages spoken at home, first language learned and still understood, language of interview, and language of preference. The mean differences in daily nutrient and food intake were assessed by t and chi-square tests.
Results
Differences in total energy and daily food intakes by language groups were not observed in the sample; however, significant differences in weekly consumption were found in different age and sex categories: lower fruits and vegetables consumption, and vitamins and macronutrients intakes for older Francophone men and higher intakes of energy and saturated fat from “unhealthy” foods for Francophone men 19–30 years of age. Based on the Acceptable Macronutrients Distribution Range (AMDR), approximately 50% of the sample exceeded their acceptable energy intake from saturated fats, and 80% were below their required intake of linoleic fatty acid.
Conclusion
We confirmed that belonging to Francophone minorities in Canada affects food choices and nutritional well-being of this population. The most vulnerable groups identified by our study were Francophone men in the youngest (19-30) and older (50 and over) age categories. The extent to which the cultural setting influences the diet and, in turn, the health of the minority population needs further examination.
Key Words: Nutrition, diet, energy intake, food intake, official language minorities
Résumé
Objectifs
Comparer l’apport et le choix alimentaires entre la minorité linguistique francophone canadienne (hors Québec) et la majorité anglophone.
Méthodes
Nous avons utilisé l’Enquête de 2004 sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC), cycle 2.2 pour décrire l’apport alimentaire des Canadiens francophones et les comparer aux anglophones. La variable linguistique a été déterminée par les langues parlées à la maison, première langue apprise et encore comprise, langue de l’entrevue, et la langue de préférence. Les différences moyennes en nutriments et la prise alimentaire ont été évaluées par t-test et chi carré.
Résultats
Il n’y a aucune différence dans l’apport alimentaire total quotidien entre les groupes, mais des différences significatives existent dans la consommation alimentaire hebdomadaire pour certaines catégories de sexe et d’âge. Des apports plus faibles en fruits et légumes ainsi qu’en macronutriments et vitamines pour les hommes francophones âgés et une plus grande consommation d’énergie et de gras saturés provenant des aliments « autres » chez les jeunes hommes francophones ont été observés. Selon l’Étendue des valeurs acceptables pour les macronutriments (ÉVA), environ 50 % de l’échantillon ont dépassé leur apport énergétique acceptable de graisses saturées, et 80 % étaient en dessous de leur apport nécessaire d’acide gras linoléique.
Conclusions
Nous avons démontré que l’appartenance à la minorité linguistique francophone au Canada a un impact sur le choix alimentaire. Les groupes vulnérables sont les hommes entre 19 et 30 ans et au-dessus de 50 ans. Jusqu’à quel point cet aspect culturel influence-t-il la diète et conséquemment la santé demeure une question à élucider.
Mots Clés: nutrition, régime alimentaire, apport énergétique, apport alimentaire, minorité linguistique
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: This research was funded by the Réseau de recherche appliquée sur la santé des francophones de l’Ontario (RRASFO).
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
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