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PubMed1998

Food consumption patterns of Inuit women.

To evaluate nutrient intake and food consumption patterns of Inuit women of child-bearing age, a 24-hour diet recall and general health and food frequency questionnaire was administered to 688 Inuit women aged 15-44 in six isolated communities. Data were analyzed using the 1991 Canadian Nutrient File. Mean intakes of essential nutrients were expressed as percentages of Health Canada's 1990 Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI). Chi-square tests were used to determine relationships between categorical variables. Folacin intake ranged from 49% to 95% of the RNI in most communities (median = 76%) and was only 37% of the RNI for pregnant and 54% for lactating women. Mean calcium intake for pregnant and lactating women averaged 55% and 47% of the RNI, respectively. Average vitamin A intakes ranged from 26% to 87% of the RNI (median = 65%), with intake for pregnant Inuit women and lactating women 79% and 54% of the RNI, respectively. Country food was the major source of protein and iron, and store foods the major source of calories, calcium, folacin, and vitamin A. Low intakes of folacin, calcium, and vitamin A, especially among pregnant and lactating women, place Inuit women of childbearing age at risk. Women on social assistance are nutritionally vulnerable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A health profile of the Inuit of Nunavik: report of the Santé Québec Health Survey (1992).

This general survey of health and well-being aimed primarily to provide a comprehensive insight into the health and social situation in Nunavik, with a view to setting up prevention and intervention programs more properly adapted to the needs of the Inuit of Nunavik. The data gathered through the use of questionnaires were combined with the anthropometric and biological readings of some 1,567 Inuit of all ages to generate the survey findings. In essence, the report demonstrated that, as the current Inuit lifestyle, save for the consumption of traditional foods, was setting the stage for the development of several types of illness previously absent from Nunavik, behavioral changes were warranted. Although the Inuit reported few problems of a physical nature, mental health issues appeared challenging. The prevalence of psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, and parasuicides was of sufficient import to justify direct, concerted, and immediate action.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Plasmid lipid and lipoprotein pattern in the Inuit of the Keewatin district of the Northwest territories.

It has long been recognized that certain indigenous populations, such as the traditional living Inuit, have been relatively spared from ischemic heart disease despite their high fat diet. There is evidence to suggest that elevated serum levels of oxidated cholesterol may be a strong risk factor for atherogenesis. This study was performed to examine the plasma levels of lipid, triglyceride, lipoprotein cholesterol and oxidated cholesterol derivatives in the Inuit of the Keewatin district of Canada. Lipoprotein isolation from plasma was performed by serial centrifugation and apolipoprotein concentrations and native and esterified cholesterol content of the lipoprotein isolated were determined. Analysis of cholesterol and its oxidation products was performed using high pressure liquid chromatography. The Inuit showed a decreased concentration of both VLDL apolipoprotein and LDL apolipoprotein. The incidence of oxidatived cholesterol in Inuit VLDL and LDL was higher than control except for the 25 alpha-hydroxy derivative in VLDL. These data provide insight into the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on the development of ischemic heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Serum ferritin in a Greenlandic Inuit hunter population from the Thule district.

Serum (S-) ferritin was analyzed in 67 Greenlandic Inuit hunters from Thule (Qaanaaq), 35 males and 32 females with a median age of 39 years (range 17-77). S-ferritin was higher in males, median 211 micrograms/l (range 30-1040), than in females, median 87 micrograms/l (range 33-794) (p less than 0.01). None of the subjects had S-ferritin less than or equal to 20 micrograms/l (i.e. depleted iron stores); 5 of the 48 subjects less than or equal to 50 years old had S-ferritin 21-40 micrograms/l (i.e. small iron stores). All 19 subjects greater than 50 years old had S-ferritin greater than 40 micrograms/l (i.e. replete iron stores) and 8 showed values greater than 300 micrograms/l (i.e. increased iron stores). S-ferritin levels increased with the percent energy intake from traditional native hunter food (rs = 0.26, p less than 0.05). Inuit had higher S-ferritin than Danish Caucasian subjects. In Inuit of both sexes, S-ferritin displayed a correlation to age (rs = 0.63, p less than 0.0001 in the entire series), indicating gradually increasing S-ferritin levels during lifetime, without the plateaus seen in Caucasians. These findings suggest continued accumulation of iron reserves in elderly Inuit, due to consumption of large quantities of iron rich meat from marine mammals and/or genetic differences in the regulatory mechanisms for body iron stores.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Mortality among the Baffin Inuit in the mid-80s.

This article proposes to describe mortality among the Inuit of the Baffin region during the 1983-1987 period and to compare it with that of Canadians as a whole. Mortality among the Baffin Inuit is clearly higher than that of the Canadian population as a whole. Life expectancy at birth is 66.6 years, approximately 10 years lower than that for the general Canadian population (76.3 years). Injuries and poisoning, neoplasms, and diseases of the respiratory system are the leading causes of death observed among the Baffin Inuit. For each of these causes, the rates obtained for the Inuit are significantly higher than those for the total population of Canada.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Obesity, hypertension, hyperuricemia and diabetes mellitus among the Cree and Inuit of northern Québec.

In the last thirty years, sociocultural and political changes have profoundly affected the way of life of the Cree and Inuit of Northern Québec. Their health status profile has also changed. This study presents the main results of a health survey performed among the Cree and Inuit in 1982-1984 by a multidisciplinary team. Obesity, arterial hypertension, hyperuricemia and diabetes mellitus while almost unknown in the past, have now been added to the list of Cree and Inuit health problems. Crees have the highest risk for obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Hyperuricemia for unknown reasons seems more prevalent among the Inuit. Our findings suggest that further in-depth studies of chronic conditions in these communities are needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Northern obstetrics: a 5-year review of delivery among Inuit women.

There are over 18,000 Inuit in the Northwest Territories. As a group they have the highest birth rate, the lowest cesarean section rate and one of the highest perinatal death rates in Canada. We reviewed the obstetric experience of 512 Inuit women who either gave birth at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital or were referred from Yellowknife and gave birth at a southern facility between January 1981 and December 1985. Our experience is consistent with that documented in earlier reviews, which concluded that Inuit women tend to have efficient uterine action, to endure labour well and to rarely have dystocia. During the periods covered by these reviews delivery was frequently in the settlements; now hospital delivery is the norm. Substantial improvements in perinatal outcome are evident, but there remains a considerable gap between the northern and southern experience. Those attempting further progress must recognize that the need for obstetric care away from the home community is not fully appreciated by Inuit women, their families or their communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Malocclusion in Labrador Inuit youth: a psychosocial, dental and cephalometric evaluation.

Epidemiological studies of malocclusion of world populations have been previously limited to dental parameters. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of malocclusion in the dentitions of Inuit (Eskimo) youth aged between 5-22 years from Labrador, Canada, using psychosocial, dental and skeletal (radiographic) parameters. Data were obtained from two communities, Nain (population 1079) and Hopedale (population 534). About 82% (n = 363) of the Inuit youth and 50% (n = 222) of their parents responded to the psychosocial questionnaires. In total, 78% (n = 348) of the Inuit youth were examined intraorally to determine the prevalence of malocclusion using the Treatment Priority Index (TPI), and 23% (n = 100) had cephalometric radiographs taken using a portable cephalometer. The results indicated that 95% of the Labrador Inuit youth examined had some degree of malocclusion, 10-16% were aware of their occlusal disharmonies, 55-65% wanted to have their teeth straightened, and 5% were teased by others because of their malocclusions. In addition, 63% of the parents seemed to be aware of their child's occlusal problems and 70% wished their children to wear orthodontic appliances if they were needed. Prevalence and awareness to malocclusion were positively correlated. According to the TPI, 18% had "severely handicapping" and 20% had "very severely handicapping" malocclusions. The TPI score increased with age from 5.25 in the young group to 8.05 in the older age group (mean 6.7). There were high prevalences of crowded anterior teeth, upper lingual posterior crossbites, and open or edge to edge bites. A prevalence of 35% Angle Class I, 49% Angle Class II and 16% Angle Class III molar relationships were observed. Cephalometric analysis demonstrated a mean wits measurement of -2.0 mm, a mean ANB angle of 4.7, a mean lower face height of 68.3 mm, a mean interincisal angle of 125 degrees and a mean frankfort mandibular plane angle of 31.3 degrees. A need for orthodontic care and further education were clearly indicated and highly recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Cholesteatomas in Greenlandic Inuit. A retrospective study and follow-up of treated cases from 1976-91.

Chronic otitis media is frequent among the Inuit in Greenland, but reports of cholesteatomas are rare. To describe cholesteatoma in Greenland, we have performed a retrospective study and follow-up of Greenlandic Inuit treated at the ENT-department, Rigshospitalet, Denmark in the period 1976-91. We found 35 Greenlandic Inuit with cholesteatoma, the first in 1976. Median age was 19 years. The total incidence was calculated to 5 per 100.000 per year, or 2 new cases per year. The geographical distribution showed less cholesteatomas among the people with a traditional way of life in the Hunter region. The complication rate was 11%. The extension and pathology of the cholesteatomas indicated late and infrequent contact with an ENT specialist. The follow-up study revealed 53% dry ears with intact tympanic membrane, and 47% with intermittent ear discharge. Residual or recurrent cholesteatoma was found in 46% of the patients, less frequently when the primary operation included mastoidectomy with canal wall-down technique. We recommend this operation in most Greenlandic Inuit with cholesteatomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Secular and age trends in the height of adults among a Canadian Inuit community.

The height of adults living in the Inuit settlement of Igloolik (69 degrees 40'N, 81 degrees W) had been determined in three surveys, conducted in the winters of 1969/70, 1979/80 and 1989/90. The Inuit are shorter than the general Canadian population, as surveyed in 1981, the discrepancy amounting to about 11 cm for males, and 9-10 cm for females. The decrease in height over the course of adult life, as seen in cross-sectional data, occurs at approximately the same speed in Igloolik as in Southern Canada. However, the causes of this trend seem to be different. Until the seventh decade of life, the decrease observed in southern Canada is due to a substantial secular trend to an increase of stature. In contrast, the Inuit living in Igloolik have become about 2 cm shorter at any given age over the past 2 decades. The trend to loss of stature is strongest in continuing hunters. In the men, the trauma associated with the operation of high-speed snowmobiles over rough terrain may be an important factor. The women do not drive snowmobiles to any great extent; however, they now carry small children on their back less frequently than in previous decades because of a smaller average family size and the adoption of store-purchased clothing which lacks the traditional amauti. In consequence, they may now be less well protected against a low calcium and vitamin D intake. We conclude that because of this secular trend, cross-sectional surveys currently under-estimate the decrease in height that the Inuit will sustain over the adult lifespan.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

"If you got everything, it's good enough": perspectives on successful aging in a Canadian Inuit community.

Structured interviews with 38 Inuit in the community of Holman were conducted to examine Inuit definitions of successful and unsuccessful aging. Qualitative analysis of the interview data suggests that (1) contrary to much of the literature about culture change in the Canadian North, there appear to be no perceivable differences in the ways Inuit of different age cohorts view aging and elderhood; (2) a successful old age is not one necessarily characterized by individual good health, but rather by the ability of the individual to successfully manage declining health; and (3) for Inuit, the most important determinants of a successful elderhood are not material but ideological. That is, an individual's attitudes in late life, and in particular their willingness to transmit their accumulated wisdom and knowledge to their juniors, are the critical determinants of whether an elder is viewed as having a successful old age.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Obesity and central fat pattern among Greenland Inuit and a general population of Denmark (Inter99): relationship to metabolic risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the obesity observed among the Inuit of Greenland and in a general Danish population was associated with the same degree of metabolic disturbances. DESIGN: Comparison of data from two population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1999-2001. SUBJECTS: A total of 7892 individuals aged 30-60 y, 1108 Inuit participants from the Greenland Population study, and 6784 Danish participants in the Danish Inter99 study. MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. The participants received a standard 75 g OGTT. s-Triglyceride, s-HDL cholesterol, fasting and 2 h p-glucose and s-insulin were analysed. Blood pressure was measured. Information on lifestyle factors was obtained by a questionnaire and interview. RESULTS: The Inuit had lower levels of 2-h glucose and insulin, blood pressure, triglyceride, and higher levels of HDL cholesterol than the Danish participants at any given level of obesity. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels within obesity categories were not different in the two populations. Adjustment for physical activity, smoking, school education, and alcohol consumption did not change these findings. CONCLUSION: The trends in the association between obesity and metabolic effects among the Inuit and a Northern European population were the same, but the levels of the risk factors were significantly different. This may be due to genetic factors and differences in body composition.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2002

Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and placental CYP1A1 activity in Inuit women from northern Québec.

Some polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners are CYP1A1 inducers, and induction of this enzyme in the placenta has been linked to adverse effects on fetal development. The objective of this study was to determine if the body burden of PCBs is related to placental CYP1A1 activity in Inuit women from Nunavik (northern Québec), a population highly exposed to organochlorines. Placenta and cord blood samples were obtained from 35 Inuit women and 30 women from a southern Québec community exposed to background levels of organochlorines. We measured PCB concentrations in all cord plasma samples and in a subset of placenta samples from the Nunavik group and assessed CYP1A1 activity (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase; EROD) in placental microsomes from all participants. Concentrations of PCBs in cord plasma were strongly correlated to those in placenta (Pearson's r) = 0.77-0.97, p < 0.001) and were on average 4-fold higher in Inuit women than in southern Québec women [for PCB 153, the geometric means (geometric SDs) were 83.3 (1.9) ng/g lipid vs. 16.9 (1.6) ng/g lipid, respectively]. Despite this difference in PCB body burden, both study groups had similar EROD activities when data were stratified according to tobacco smoking. Although simple correlation analysis first showed that placental EROD activity was correlated with PCB 153 plasma concentration in the Nunavik group, a multivariate analysis failed to demonstrate a significant contribution of PCBs to EROD activity when tobacco smoking was included in the analysis. We conclude that dietary exposure to PCBs in Inuit women from Nunavik does not significantly influence EROD activity in the placenta, implicating tobacco smoking as the major modulating factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Chronic granulomatous otitis media in bottle-fed Inuit children.

Otitis media in Inuit children is a problem of relatively recent origin and unknown cause. The prevalence of otitis media in 238 Inuit and 47 Caucasian children in Nain, a small community in Labrador, was determined by examination, and the history of breast-feeding or bottle-feeding was obtained. The prevalence of otitis media was found to be inversely related to the age at which bottle-feeding was started. Clinical observations suggest that otitis media in Inuit children is part of a process leading to chronic foreign body granuloma of the middle ear, and that the granuloma is formed from milk introduced into the relatively short and straight eustachian tubes of Inuit infants by the high negative intraoral pressure necessary for bottle-feeding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Aspiration during swallowing in typically developing children of the First Nations and Inuit in Canada.

Children of the First Nations and Inuit in Canada have a high propensity for lower respiratory tract infections. Overcrowding, poor housing, passive smoke exposure, and lack of breast feeding (Martens P, Bond R, Jebamani L, Burchill C, et al. http://www.umanitoba.ca/centres/mchp/reports/pdfs/rfn_pdfs/rfn_report.pdf.; MacMillan H, Walsh C, Jamieson E, Crawford A, Boyle M. http://www.hcsc.gc.ca/fnihbdgspni/fnihb/aboriginalhealth/reports_summaries/regional_survey_ch1.pdf.; Wardman AE, Khan NA. Int J Circumpolar Health 2004;63:81-92) have been cited as important contributing factors in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections. However, aspiration during swallowing has thus far not been considered as a co-factor in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in these children. We present a retrospective case series of seven typically developing children of the Canadian First Nations and Inuit, in whom aspiration during swallowing was detected in the course of investigating associations with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. None of the children had any of the known risk factors for aspiration during swallowing such as developmental variation, prematurity, neuromotor problems, or anatomic abnormalities of the upper aerodigestive tract. We speculate that aspiration during swallowing in typically developing children may be an important, previously unrecognized co-factor in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in the communities of the Canadian First Nations and Inuit. Further prospective studies will be needed to determine whether aspiration during swallowing represents an independent risk factor for the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in these children.

Canada↗
PubMed1997

Are Canadian Inuit at increased genetic risk for coronary heart disease?

The Keewatin Inuit of the Northwest Territories of Canada have a very low age-adjusted mortality rate from coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that this apparent protection from disease has a genetic basis. We determined the prevalence of the disease-associated alleles of five candidate genes for atherosclerosis-related phenotypes. Surprisingly, four of the five alleles studied, namely AGT T235, FABP2 T54, PON R192 and APOE E4, were significantly more frequent in a sample of 175 Keewatin Inuit than among a representative control sample of whites living in the region. The high frequencies of these disease-associated alleles suggests either that they have no relationship with disease susceptibility in the Inuit, or that some unmeasured genetic and/or environmental factors mitigate disease susceptibility that is associated with these alleles. This highlights the difficulty in extrapolating findings from one population to another. Also, very modest genotype-phenotype associations were observed between APOE genotype (P = 0.016) and plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and between FABP2 genotype and plasma 2-h postprandial, glucose concentration (P = 0.048). The relationship between APOE alleles and plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was the same as has been previously reported in many study samples. However, the relationship between FABP2 alleles and plasma 2-h postprandial glucose concentrations was the opposite to that reported in other studies. This suggests that differences in environment, such as the type of fatty acid consumed, interacts with functional differences in gene products involved in candidate metabolic pathways to produce phenotypic differences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

High level of male-biased Scandinavian admixture in Greenlandic Inuit shown by Y-chromosomal analysis.

We have used binary markers and microsatellites on the Y chromosome to analyse diversity in a sample of Greenlandic Inuit males. This sample contains Y chromosomes typical of those found in European populations. Because the Y chromosome has a unique and robust phylogeny of a time depth that precedes the split between European and Native American populations, it is possible to assign chromosomes in an admixed population to either continental source. On this basis, 58+/-6% of these Y chromosomes have been assigned to a European origin. The high proportion of European Y chromosomes contrasts with a complete absence of European mitochondrial DNA and indicates strongly male-biased European admixture into Inuit. Comparison of the European component of Inuit Y chromosomes with European population data suggests that they have their origins in Scandinavia. There are two potential source populations: Norse settlers from Iceland, who may have been assimilated 500 years ago, and the Danish-Norwegian colonists of the eighteenth century. Insufficient differentiation between modern Icelandic and Danish Y chromosomes means that a choice between these cannot be made on the basis of diversity analysis. However, the extreme sex bias in the admixture makes the later event more likely as the source.

Asian People↗
PubMed1996

Health risk assessment for inuit newborns exposed to dioxin-like compounds through breast feeding.

Inuit people living in the Arctic receive an unusually high dose of dioxin-like compounds through their traditional diet, which comprises large amounts of fatty tissues from various sea mammal species. During breast feeding, the mother transfers part of their body burden to its newborn. We estimated the impact of breast feeding on the body burden of Inuit from birth to age 75 years. Simulations performed with a toxicokinetic model revealed that breast feeding strongly influences body burden during childhood but not after age 20 years. Liver and adipose tissue concentrations expected in Inuit are well below those which induced severe adverse health effects in laboratory animals, e.g. cancer and reproduction. However, these concentrations approach levels generating subtle effects on reproductive systems.

Adipose Tissue↗