Canadian scurvy case sheds light on Saskatchewan’s rising food insecurity stats

Dr. Natalie Riediger is an associate professor in the University of Manitoba’s department of food and human nutritional sciences. She said the red flag in the medical realm emphasizes the toll the rise and prevalence of food insecurity has for low income populations.

“The average person shouldn’t be overly concerned [about scurvy]. It’s not common, which is I think why the paper is important, that they’re seeing it to tell physicians to be on the lookout for it because it’s not something people would see very often,” Riediger said. “To live in a country where this is happening, we should view it as shocking.”

Scurvy is caused by a months-long deficiency of vitamin C, commonly found in fresh produce. Early symptoms can present as irritability or fatigue, but an advanced stage can lead to bleeding gums, tooth loss, and body sores. Riediger said a body’s demand for the vitamin can vary depending on circumstances. Some may need an additional amount if they have a fever, are pregnant or recovering from trauma or surgery. Canadian data on scurvy rates are not available, given the condition’s rarity, Riediger said.

“It might not be the first thing a physician thinks of,” Riediger said. “This is not that common.”

The medical association’s report cited data from 2017-18, which said US prevalence of vitamin C deficiency was 5.9 per cent, whereas in the UK, it could be as high as 25 per cent in lower income groups.

But beyond scurvy, there are many other conditions of vitamin deficiency that are well-studied such as anemia caused by a lack of iron. Sickness from a lack of vitamins is rarely isolated, Riediger noted, meaning it’s typically symptomatic or secondary to other health issues such as Type 2 diabetes.

Malnourishment, or a physician’s knowledge of it in his or her patient, can help pinpoint a health issue, Riediger said.

“Food insecurity increases the risk of many things related to health. We know health outcomes for food insecure populations are worse,” she said. “More people are experiencing food insecurity but also the severity of food insecurity is greater.”

Eating canned meals or processed foods such as instant noodles, every day is a ‘food security strategy,’ Riediger said.

“When you’re consuming the same things over and over again, that’s a risk factor for not getting enough or sufficient variety of many nutrients,” she said.

The issue by the numbers

Saskatchewan ranks third in Canada for highest rate of food insecurity according to recent Statistics Canada data. There are three tiers of insecurity (marginal, moderate, and severe). The severe population would include those who miss meals, reduce food intake and go days without food. Moderate includes households that compromise on food quality or quantity. Marginal food insecurity includes households that worry about running out of food or have limited funds for groceries.

Severe food insecurity across the 10 Canadian provinces increased by 50 per cent (4 per cent to 6 per cent of population) over the last year. Overall food insecurity increased 24.5 per cent. In Saskatchewan, 28 per cent of the population in 2023 was food insecure. It was 20.3 per cent in 2022.

Chart: PROOFSource: Statistics Canada Table 13-10-0834-01 (University of Toronto)

The data for children living with food insecurity is worse. The percentage of Saskatchewan children under 18 living in food insecure households was 35.3 per cent in 2023, up from 26.1. The national rate of food insecurity for children under 18 was 28.4 per cent in 2023. Data for specific Indigenous Nations is not available, but across the 10 provinces, 36.8 per cent of people living in food insecurity identify as Indigenous.

Chart: PROOFSource: Statistics Canada Table 13-10-0834-01 (University of Toronto)

According to a report from the University of Toronto, household food insecurity and poor diet is tightly linked to adverse health. There are diet-related diseases like diabetes, but food insecurity can lead to poor oral health, mental health conditions, heart disease, or arthritis. Researchers from the university found that adults with over 10 years of living in food insecure households were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.

The new cases of scurvy, Riediger said, is really just “the tip of the most extreme iceberg” of those facing malnourishment due to the raised cost of living.

Finding solutions

Riediger notes research finds food insecurity reduces when income supports are in place, such as when seniors receive their old age pension at 65, or when young families receive the federal childcare benefit. The cheques are going to the grocery store.

Food banks do play their role, but they also have their own limitations.

“Surprisingly most people who are food insecure, don’t go to food banks,” Riediger said adding the stigma leads to a reticence in seeking that support. Food insecure populations, she said, are in turn more likely to borrow money from loved ones, limit meals, or eat the same things daily.

“People obviously are using food banks and the use of them has gone up,” she said. “There is research that shows that food available at food banks have less nutritional quality, they’re less likely to be fresh foods.”

“You’re at the mercy of whatever is available at the food bank. That limits and creates challenges.”

To assist children under 18 facing this issue, the federal government introduced a $1 billion National School Food Policy last summer. But because health and education are under provincial jurisdiction, it’s up to the leadership of individual provinces and territories to sign on. There are many preexisting school lunch programs across the country. Since the launch Manitoba as well as Newfoundland and Labrador signed on to the plan.

It’s worth noting researchers at the University of Toronto rebuked the school food policy, reflecting that school meals will not diminish the broader issue of financial hardship food insecure households face.

“Providing meals in school is no replacement for ensuring that families have enough money to make ends meet,” an open letter from the researchers to the federal government said.

To that end, paNOW has contacted both the Sask. Party and NDP campaigns to ask each party for their comment on food insecurity in Saskatchewan. Specifically, what their platform plans to do to address it, or whether they would commit to the national school food policy.

A Saskatchewan Party statement said because of the current provincial election it is unable to discuss the national plan with the federal government.

“Should we be re-elected, we would certainly be willing to have a discussion with them,” the statement said.

“We know the cost of living is a significant concern for many Saskatchewan residents right now. This is why our platform focuses on cutting taxes and expanding programs, such as the Graduate Retention Program, the Low-Income Tax Credit, the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit, the Personal Care Home Benefit and the Active Families Benefit, in order to keep more money in people’s pockets,” the campaign said.

“When fully implemented, 54,000 people will no longer be paying any provincial income tax and Saskatchewan will have the highest level of tax-free income in Canada for seniors and for families with dependent children. This is in addition to the 112,000 people already not paying income tax because of previous tax cuts.”

The Saskatchewan NDP said it would sign on to the federal school food program to financially support its own provincial program.

“Far too often, many Saskatchewan students go to school hungry. We’ll be introducing a healthy school food program to ensure that every student has access to a nutritious meal and snacks,” the statement said. “We’ll be investing $10 million in the first year, which will cumulatively increase to reach $55 million a year in our fourth year. We’ll be bolstering funding with support from the federal school food program.”

“We’re also cutting the PST on groceries, as well as making life more affordable with other measures, including cutting PST on kids’ clothes, suspending the gas tax.”

The provincial election day is tomorrow, Oct. 28.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com

by Glynn Brothen

Canadian scurvy case sheds light on Saskatchewan’s rising food insecurity stats

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