The foundation finds that Arctic store-bought foods provide 95 per cent of dietary sodium intake of the native people. Earlier studies had shown low average blood pressures in isolated communities.

From a survey of dietary sodium and nutrient intake conducted in 1992 of 421 Inuit men and women, ages 18 to 70 years, from villages in Nunavik territory, it is estimated that fish and seafood were consumed nearly three times a week and caribou nearly twice a week. Wildfowl and marine mammal meat were eaten once a week. Nearly 88 per cent of the people got their traditional foods from the community freezer.

By 2004, the intake of traditional food had plummeted and people were getting less of vitamins A. C, and D, calcium, and dietary fiber. Young people were consuming soda and fruit drinks.

Quoted in a press release from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Marie-Ludivine Chateau-Degat of Laval University says it is imperative that the Inuit – like all Canadians − cut down their consumption of soft drinks and prepackaged foods.

How the lifestyles of indigenous peoples in the Arctic are influenced by climate change and other forces is one of the topics in the October 2009 issue of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears. Among the science content articles, you’ll learn from researchers in the field how communities are experiencing reduced populations of caribou and seal—the basics of subsistence hunting and the traditional diet. The virtual bookshelf highlights dozens of children’s books that will introduce K-5 readers to the peoples of the Arctic. Other articles offer suggestions for literacy and science lessons and classroom activities.