FOOD PREFERENCES AND FOOD HEALTH BELIEFS OF NATIVE SCHOOL-CHILDREN AND MOTHERS IN NORTHERN ALBERTA

Food preference ratings (degree of like or dislike) and health belief ratings for 24 traditional and store-bought foods were examined among 91 Canadian Indian school children and their mothers (n = 42) in northern Alberta. A group of non-native children (n = 29) attending the same school also participated. Ratings were obtained with five-point Likert-type scales presented in pictorial format. Preference scores of Native participants were highest tor apple, chicken, milk, bannock and moose, and lowest for beaver, birch syrup, Labrador tea and green beans. Health belief scores were highest for milk, carrots and apple, lowest for chocolate bar, potato chips and soft drinks. Differences between Native children and their mothers were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in preference for 11 foods, and in health beliefs for 5. Differences between Native and non-native children were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in preference for 7 foods and in health beliefs for 3. Nutrition education programs for Native communities should utilize a variety of well-liked traditional and store-bought foods to demonstrate means of achieving a nutritionally adequate diet.