Evaluating food security in Nunavut: preliminary results from the Inuit Health Survey

This research paper reports on the food security status, general household and country food (CF) characteristics of the Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk regions in Nunavut. A community-participatory, cross-sectional Inuit Health Survey was conducted among self-identified Inuit adults in the Canadian north in the summer and fall of 2007 and 2008. A total of 1,038 randomly selected households completed a household questionnaire. Food insecurity affected 70.5% of participating Inuit households; 32.2% of households were moderately food insecure and 38.3% were severely food insecure. Households with children reported significantly higher rates of food insecurity (p=0.0056) and severe food insecurity (p=0.0001) compared to households without children. Approximately 65% of Inuit households reported an active hunter, 79% would prefer to eat more CF than they can get, and 54% of households relied on family and friends for CF. Inuit-specific data for Nunavut will inform future monitoring activities and help guide future policies and programs.