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Abstract
Dietary intake was determined using three 24-hour recalls in Cree children in grades 4 to 6 from Quebec. The majority of children (67.9%) were overweight (30.1%) or obese (36.9%) based on IOTF cut-offs. The mean caloric intake was 2414 ± 724 kcal and the mean percentage of energy from fat was 30.0 ± 4.7%. The major contributors of calories and fat, respectively, were sweetened drinks and snack foods. Approximately three-quarters (76.9%) of children ate at least one restaurant or take-out meal in the three days of recall. Children who consumed three or more restaurant or take-out meals had a significantly greater caloric intake relative to those who consumed none (p = 0.048). There was an inverse relationship between waist circumference and calories consumed per kg body weight (r = -0.62, p<0.001). Culturally sensitive interventions to improve diet quality are needed in this community.
