Indigenous peoples’ nutrition transition in a right to food perspective

In indigenous communities the nutrition transition characterized by a rapid westernization of diet and lifestyle is associated with rising prevalence of chronic disease. Field work and literature reviews from two different policy environments, Argentina (Jujuy) and Canada (Nunavut), identified facto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food policy 2008-04, Vol.33 (2), p.135-155
Main Authors: Damman, Siri, Eide, Wenche Barth, Kuhnlein, Harriet V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Argentina
Basic rights
Canada
chronic diseases
contingent valuation
Diet
Discrimination
eating habits
food availability
Food policy
Food security
food supply
Government programmes
Human right
human rights
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous populations
industrialization
Inuit
Jujuy
Kolla
lifestyle
literature reviews
Malnutrition
Marginalization
Nunavut
Nutrition
Nutrition transition
Policy
protein energy malnutrition
Right to food
risk factors
Shame
Special rights
State
urbanization
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Summary:In indigenous communities the nutrition transition characterized by a rapid westernization of diet and lifestyle is associated with rising prevalence of chronic disease. Field work and literature reviews from two different policy environments, Argentina (Jujuy) and Canada (Nunavut), identified factors that add to indigenous peoples’ disease risk. The analytical framework was the emerging human right to adequate food approach to policies and programmes. Indigenous peoples’ chronic disease risk tends to increase as a result of government policies that infringe on indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and territories, undermining their economic system, values and solidarity networks. Policies intended to increase food security, including food aid, may also fuel the nutrition transition. There is a need to explore further the connection between well-intended policies towards indigenous peoples and the development of chronic diseases, and to broaden the understanding of the role that different forms of discrimination play in the westernization of their lifestyles, values and food habits. Food policies that take due account of indigenous peoples’ human rights, including their right to enjoy their culture, may counteract the growth of chronic disease in these communities.
ISSN:0306-9192
1873-5657
DOI:10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.08.002