International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Public health

The prevalence of obesity is increasing dramatically in ethnic minorities. We determined the prevalence of obesity and body fat distribution patterns in Yup’ik Eskimos. The study population consists of 341 women and 276 men, ages 18 to 94 years, of Yup’ik decent from 6 villages and a small town in southwestern Alaska. Overweight and obesity were common among Yup’ik Eskimos enrolled in the Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) study with 56% of men and 77% of women either obese or overweight. Women had significantly higher percent body fat and significantly more subcutaneous fat deposition compared to Yup’ik men. The average systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in men, compared to women. Mean levels of circulating lipids such as HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were in the normal to healthy range despite significant fat accumulation. Waist-to-hip ratios were significantly larger in men than women, but women had larger hip, and thigh circumferences. Women also had larger skinfolds and more body fat measured by electrical bioimpedance. Although high levels of HDL and low triglyceride levels observed in Southwest Alaska Yup’ik Eskimos appear to be protective against cardiovascular disease, the high percentage of body fat and centralized patterning of fat deposits, particularly prevalent in women, could become a significant health risk in the future. Estimates of impaired fasting glucose levels suggest that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes that could increase with further increases in body fat. Understanding the gender based differences in risk and protection will assist in translating research into a mix of universal and selective prevention strategies. The CANHR study is funded by a grant from the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health (P20 RR16430, to Dr. Gerald Mohatt). The CANHR team would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our study participants and their communities for welcoming us and teaching us so much about the Yup’ik way of life. Quyana!

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)