Health Benefits of Traditional Foods Jennifer Johnson, MPH RD LD Nutrition Research Specialist Office of Alaska Native Health Research Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

• Good nutrition is important for good health • Food is a very important part of Native life

• Traditional (or subsistence) foods from the land and sea have nourished Alaska Natives for thousands of years • These foods nourish the body, the spirit and the community

• Diet plays a role in many of the chronic diseases that are on the rise including diabetes, obesity, cancer and heart disease • The diet is changing

Cancer Risk Factors Diet and Exercise 1%

Tobacco

1% 1%

Viruses/Infection

2%

Sexual Factors

2% 3%

Unknown

4% 5%

33%

Industrial Occupations Alcohol

7%

Heredity Environmental Pollution

10%

Radiation Sunlight 31%

Additives

Alaska Specific Information

Causes of Death • Cancer is the leading cause of death in Alaska • Heart disease is #2 • Both of these are related to diet

Alaskan High School Students 30% 25% 20% 15%

Female Male

10% 5% 0% Overweight

At-Risk For Overweight

Combined

Obesity in Children • Pediatrics 2006;118;594-601 • Persistence of obesity for both the preschool and the elementary school period- children who were overweight (>85%ile) in preschool were 5 times as likely to be overweight at age 12 • Lead author Philip Nader, M.D., adds that the results of his study should spur parents, communities and schools to provide children with healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity

• Traditional foods have nutritional benefits that make them superior to many store bought foods • They are rich in many nutrients, and contain more heart-healthy fats and less harmful fat than many nontraditional foods

Why Do Children Need Nutrients?

Good Food Sources Fish, Liver, Carrots, Seal Oil, Cheddar cheese

Vitamin A

•Important for night vision •Helps prevent infection •Keeps skin healthy

Vitamin C

•Keeps teeth and gums healthy •Keeps skin elastic •Fights infection •Helps heal wounds

Vitamin D

•Helps maintain calcium levels in the body •Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or soft

Vitamin E

•Protects your body against cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer

Seals, Whales, Walrus, Nuts and Seeds

Calcium

•Builds and maintains strong bones and teeth •Important for blood clotting, heartbeat and proper nerve and muscle function

Canned fish with bones, Milk, Blackfish, Kelp with herring eggs

Iron

•Carries oxygen to your muscles and body parts. •Helps you learn better •Gives your body energy

Moose, Caribou, Beaver, Seal, Walrus

Fiber

•Helps clean out your intestines •Keeps digestive tract healthy •Helps create a full feeling •May reduce level of cholesterol in the blood

Roots, Leafy Greens, Beans, Whole Grains

Sour dock Berries, Plants, Orange Juice

Fish, Liver, Fish oils

Benefits of Native Foods • • • • •

Nutrition Physical Activity Cultural Preservation Disease Prevention Taste

• Eating and gathering traditional foods has been shown to have positive benefits to avoid obesity • Alaska Natives eating traditional foods show fewer signs of diabetes (less glucose intolerance)

Nutrition in Local Fruits and Vegetables • Sources of Vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and fiber

Nutrients in Traditional Meats • Fish, seal, moose and caribou are low in saturated fats • Seal and fish are good sources of mono and poly unsaturated fats, which are good for heart health • Seals, whales, moose and caribou are good sources of iron • Lower in saturated fat than meat from the store

Omega 3 Fatty Acids • These fats have been linked to a wide range of health benefits in various areas of health including heart health, good development of a baby during pregnancy, joint health, improved behavior and mood, and certain cancers • Recommendation is at least 2 servings of fish a week

A Glass of Frozen Fruit Punch (1 Large glass, the size of a can of coke, 355ml)

12 tsp Sugar

how many hotdogs? IRON

When Native foods are in the diet…. • Fewer calories (important for weight control) • Lower saturated fatbetter for the heart • More iron- better for muscles and blood • More zinc-better for your immune system

Conclusion: • Eating healthy foods is an important part of maintaining good health • Harvesting, preparing and eating Native foods is beneficial. Eating traditional foods increases the nutritional content of the diet • Integrating traditional ways of life into school settings can benefit Native students

Thank You Jennifer Johnson MPH RD LD Office of Alaska Native Health Research Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (907)729-3650 [email protected]