Perceptions of food environments and nutrition among residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation

Abstract

Background Indigenous food systems have been displaced with the emergence of colonization, industrialization, and cultural, economic, political, and environmental changes. This disruption can be seen in marked health and food environment disparities that contribute to high obesity and diabetes mellitus prevalence among Native American peoples. Methods A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to document food environment experiences among residents of the Flathead Reservation in rural Montana. Participants were identified using purposive sampling techniques to participate in a survey and a semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics helped to describe participant demographics, food access variables, and household food security status. Food environment perceptions were analyzed using the constant comparison method among trained researchers. Results Participants completed surveys (n = 79) and interviews (n = 76). A large number participated in federal nutrition assistance programs. Many self-reported experiencing diet-related chronic diseases. Major themes included the community food environment, dietary norms, and food-health connections. Subthemes were represented by perceptions of food environment transitions and the important role of food in familial life. Further, opportunities and challenges were identified for improving community food environments. Conclusions Perceptions of the food environment were linked to strategies that could be targeted to improve dietary quality along a social-ecological model continuum. There is need for skill-based education that directly addresses the time and monetary constraints that were commonly experienced by residents. Coinciding food environment interventions to promote dietary quality that engage community members, store management, and government policy stakeholders are also needed to reestablish healthy Native American food systems and environments within this community.

Role of Wild Food Environments for Cultural Identity, Food Security, and Dietary Quality in a Rural American State

“…Wild food procurement is associated with a range of practices and rituals ranging from food preparation and cooking activities to those spiritual in nature. Findings of the multidimensional valuation and practices associated with wild foods are in line with previous research (Groessler, 2008;Smith et al, 2019;Byker Shanks et al, 2020). For example, Groessler 2008 reported food preparation and storage techniques for berries such as huckleberry, serviceberry, and bitterroot, as well as preparation techniques for fish such as salmon as a prevalent wild food procurement practice.…”

“…This paper seeks to contribute to the need to understand wild food environments and associated practices, experiences, and perceptions in the context of environmental change through a case study in the rural American state of Montana. The locality of Montana serves as a compelling case study for assessing wild food environments because of its long history of hunting, fishing, and foraging coupled with its diverse socio-ecological context (Mehn, 1989;Josephy, 2002;Groessler, 2008;Smith et al, 2019;Byker Shanks et al, 2020). Our study team designed and administered a structured survey to address the following overall research question: What are practices, perceptions, experiences, and knowledge associated with wild food environments in the context of global environmental change?…”

A mixed‐method systematic review and meta‐analysis of the influences of food environments and food insecurity on obesity in high‐income countries

“…For the quantitative section of the review, 36 cross‐sectional studies (Bauer et al, 2012 ; Bruening et al, 2012 ; Dharod et al, 2013 ; Domingo et al, 2021 ; Gorski Findling et al, 2018 ; Huelskamp et al, 2021 ; Kaiser et al, 2019 ; Keenan et al, 2021 ; Kral et al, 2017 ; Leung & Villamor, 2011 ; Matheson et al, 2002 ; McCurdy et al, 2015 ; Mercille et al, 2012 ; Nettle & Bateson, 2019 ; Nguyen et al, 2015 ; Niu et al, 2021 ; Poulsen et al, 2019 ; Ro & Osborn, 2018 ; Robaina & Martin, 2013 ; Rodriguez et al, 2021 ; Sanjeevi et al, 2018 ; Santarossa et al, 2021 ; Shinwell et al, 2021 ; Smith & Richards, 2008 ; Vadiveloo et al, 2020 ; van der Velde et al, 2020 ; Vedovato et al, 2016 ; Walch & Holland, 2021 ; Watt et al, 2013 ; Webb et al, 2008 ; Widome et al, 2009 ; Wilcox et al, 2020 ; Wirth et al, 2020 ; Yau et al, 2020 ) and one cohort study (Benjamin‐Neelon et al, 2020 ) were included. Eleven studies were included for the qualitative section of the review (Bhawra et al, 2015 ; Byker Shanks et al, 2020 ; Cooksey Stowers et al, 2020 ; Franzen & Smith, 2009 ; Genuis et al, 2015 ; Gosliner & Shah, 2020 ; Holston et al, 2020 ; Jennings et al, 2020 ; Kerpan et al, 2015 ; Ong et al, ...…”

“…Included studies were primarily conducted across the USA (36) (Bauer et al, 2012; Benjamin‐Neelon et al, 2020; Bruening et al, 2012; Byker Shanks et al, 2020; Cooksey Stowers et al, 2020; Dharod et al, 2013; Franzen & Smith, 2009; Gorski Findling et al, 2018; Gosliner & Shah, 2020; Holston et al, 2020; Hooper et al, 2020; Huelskamp et al, 2021; Jennings et al, 2020; Kaiser et al, 2019; Kral et al, 2017; Leung & Villamor, 2011; Matheson et al, 2002; McCurdy et al, 2015; Nettle & Bateson, 2019; Nguyen et al, 2015; Niu et al, 2021; Poulsen et al, 2019; Ro & Osborn, 2018; Robaina & Martin, 2013; Rodriguez et al, 2021; Sanjeevi et al, 2018; Santarossa et al, 2021; Smith & Richards, 2008; Vadiveloo et al, 2020; Vedovato et al, 2016; Walch & Holland, 2021; Watt et al, 2013; Webb et al, 2008; Widome et al, 2009; Wilcox et al, 2020; Wirth et al, 2020), with six in Canada (Bhawra et al, 2015; Domingo et al, 2021; Genuis et al, 2015; Kerpan et al, 2015; Mercille et al, 2012; Ong et al, 2021), four in the UK (Keenan et al, 2021; Shinwell et al, 2021; Thompson et al, 2018; Yau et al, 2020), and one in Netherlands (van der Velde et al, 2020). Twenty‐two studies were published between 2020 and 2021 (Benjamin‐Neelon et al, 2020; Byker Shanks et al, 2020; Cooksey Stowers et al, 2020; Domingo et al, 2021; Gosliner & Shah, 2020; Holston et al, 2020; ...…”

“…Total sample size was 63,152, ranging from 10 (Cooksey Stowers et al, 2020) to 8333 (Nguyen et al, 2015) in individual studies. Thirty‐two studies considered adult samples (>18 years) (Bauer et al, 2012; Bhawra et al, 2015; Bruening et al, 2012; Byker Shanks et al, 2020; Cooksey Stowers et al, 2020; Dharod et al, 2013; Domingo et al, 2021; Franzen & Smith, 2009; Gosliner & Shah, 2020; Holston et al, 2020; Huelskamp et al, 2021; Kaiser et al, 2019; Keenan et al, 2021; Leung & Villamor, 2011; McCurdy et al, 2015; Mercille et al, 2012; Nettle & Bateson, 2019; Nguyen et al, 2015; Ong et al, 2021; Ro & Osborn, 2018; Robaina & Martin, 2013; Rodriguez et al, 2021; Sanjeevi et al, 2018; Santarossa et al, 2021; Shinwell et al, 2021; Vadiveloo et al, 2020; van der Velde et al, 2020; Vedovato et al, 2016; Walch & Holland, 2021; Watt et al, 2013; Webb et al, 2008; Wilcox et al, 2020; Yau et al, 2020), 11 studies focused on children or adolescents (Benjamin‐Neelon et al, 2020; Genuis et al, 2015; Gorski Findling et al, 2018; Jennings et al, 2020; Kerpan et al, 2015; Kral et al, 2017; Matheson et al, 2002; Poulsen et al, 2019; Smith & Richards, 2008; Widome et al, 2009; Wirth et al, 2020) and three studies included both children/adolescents and adults (Hooper et al, 2020; Niu et al, 2021; Thompson et al, 2018). Twenty‐three quantitative studies directly measured anthropometric indices (Bauer et al, 2012; Benjamin‐Neelon et al, 2020; Dharod et al,...…”