1
High-Risk Nutritional Practices
Author’s Name
Department/University
Course number
Course name
Instructor’s Name
, 2
High-Risk Nutritional Practices
Because different cultures around the world have distinct eating habits, ways of preparing
food, and interactions with food, nutrition, and cultural practices are closely related. Certain
cultures have high-risk nutritional practices that can have detrimental effects on health, even if
many cultural culinary customs are generally relatively healthful. Developing culturally
competent and successful healthcare methods requires examining these high-risk behaviors, the
historical and belief systems that underpin them, and the role that healthcare providers play in
addressing them.
The traditional diet of the Inuit people of the Arctic, the use of dietary supplements and
traditional medicines in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the prevalence of eating
disorders in some Western cultures are the three cultural contexts in which this paper will
concentrate on high-risk nutritional behaviors. The paper will outline the high-risk behaviors for
each, talk about the historical viewpoints and belief systems that shape them, and investigate
how healthcare professionals might help people who engage in these activities.
High-Risk Nutritional Behaviors in Inuit Culture
It has long been known that the traditional cuisine of the Inuit people, who live in the
Arctic areas of Siberia, Greenland, and North America, poses serious health hazards. The Inuit
historically depended nearly entirely on hunting and gathering for their food, with fish, caribou,
and marine mammals providing the majority of their protein and fat, along with some plant
material like berries and roots (Little et al., 2020).
This meal had several high-risk nutritional components, even though it was well suited to
the hostile Arctic climate. First off, according to some estimations, up to 75–80% of the Inuit's
total caloric intake comes from fat, making their diet incredibly high in saturated fats and
, 3
cholesterol (Pedersen et al., 2022). This is a lot more than the 20–35% of total calories from fat
that is advised. Inuit people have been found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,
hypertension, and other chronic health disorders due to their high intake of fat and cholesterol
and sedentary lifestyle (Pedersen et al., 2022).
Furthermore, several vital vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and folate,
were frequently lacking in the traditional Inuit diet. The lack of plant-based diets, which are
typically higher providers of these micronutrients, was the cause of this (Little et al., 2020).
Anemia, poor wound healing, and eyesight impairment are just a few of the health issues that can
result from deficiencies in these vitamins.
Inuit communities' traditional way of life and worldview are firmly anchored in the
historical and cultural elements that have shaped these high-risk eating habits. Due to the short
growing season and scarcity of plant resources, the Inuit have historically had to rely heavily on
hunting and fishing to survive in the harsh Arctic environment. The significance of getting
protein and fat from animal sources has influenced their cultural identity, values, and belief
systems (Pedersen et al., 2022).
Furthermore, the natural environment and the animals that feed them have always been
highly valued and respected by the Inuit. Because of their spiritual connections to the land and its
wildlife, some Inuit people have found it difficult to accept the possibility that their traditional
diet may be harmful to their health (Little et al., 2020). Because of the strong emphasis on
independence, self-reliance, and the ability to survive in the harsh Arctic environment, Inuit
people may be hesitant to adopt significant dietary modifications that are recommended by
outsiders.
High-Risk Nutritional Practices
Author’s Name
Department/University
Course number
Course name
Instructor’s Name
, 2
High-Risk Nutritional Practices
Because different cultures around the world have distinct eating habits, ways of preparing
food, and interactions with food, nutrition, and cultural practices are closely related. Certain
cultures have high-risk nutritional practices that can have detrimental effects on health, even if
many cultural culinary customs are generally relatively healthful. Developing culturally
competent and successful healthcare methods requires examining these high-risk behaviors, the
historical and belief systems that underpin them, and the role that healthcare providers play in
addressing them.
The traditional diet of the Inuit people of the Arctic, the use of dietary supplements and
traditional medicines in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the prevalence of eating
disorders in some Western cultures are the three cultural contexts in which this paper will
concentrate on high-risk nutritional behaviors. The paper will outline the high-risk behaviors for
each, talk about the historical viewpoints and belief systems that shape them, and investigate
how healthcare professionals might help people who engage in these activities.
High-Risk Nutritional Behaviors in Inuit Culture
It has long been known that the traditional cuisine of the Inuit people, who live in the
Arctic areas of Siberia, Greenland, and North America, poses serious health hazards. The Inuit
historically depended nearly entirely on hunting and gathering for their food, with fish, caribou,
and marine mammals providing the majority of their protein and fat, along with some plant
material like berries and roots (Little et al., 2020).
This meal had several high-risk nutritional components, even though it was well suited to
the hostile Arctic climate. First off, according to some estimations, up to 75–80% of the Inuit's
total caloric intake comes from fat, making their diet incredibly high in saturated fats and
, 3
cholesterol (Pedersen et al., 2022). This is a lot more than the 20–35% of total calories from fat
that is advised. Inuit people have been found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,
hypertension, and other chronic health disorders due to their high intake of fat and cholesterol
and sedentary lifestyle (Pedersen et al., 2022).
Furthermore, several vital vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and folate,
were frequently lacking in the traditional Inuit diet. The lack of plant-based diets, which are
typically higher providers of these micronutrients, was the cause of this (Little et al., 2020).
Anemia, poor wound healing, and eyesight impairment are just a few of the health issues that can
result from deficiencies in these vitamins.
Inuit communities' traditional way of life and worldview are firmly anchored in the
historical and cultural elements that have shaped these high-risk eating habits. Due to the short
growing season and scarcity of plant resources, the Inuit have historically had to rely heavily on
hunting and fishing to survive in the harsh Arctic environment. The significance of getting
protein and fat from animal sources has influenced their cultural identity, values, and belief
systems (Pedersen et al., 2022).
Furthermore, the natural environment and the animals that feed them have always been
highly valued and respected by the Inuit. Because of their spiritual connections to the land and its
wildlife, some Inuit people have found it difficult to accept the possibility that their traditional
diet may be harmful to their health (Little et al., 2020). Because of the strong emphasis on
independence, self-reliance, and the ability to survive in the harsh Arctic environment, Inuit
people may be hesitant to adopt significant dietary modifications that are recommended by
outsiders.
