Titre du document / Document title

Decreasing overweight and central fat patterning with Westernization among the Inuit in Greenland and Inuit migrants

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

Greenland Population Study, GROENLAND
BJERREGAARD P. ⁽¹⁾ ; JØRGENSEN M. E. ⁽²⁾ ; ANDERSEN S. ⁽³⁾ ; MULVAD G. ⁽⁴⁾ ; BORCH-JOHNSEN K. ⁽²⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, DANEMARK
⁽²⁾ Steno Diabetes Center, Copenhagen, DANEMARK
⁽³⁾ Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg Hospital, DANEMARK
⁽⁴⁾ Primary Health Clinic, Nuuk, GROENLAND

Résumé / Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse overweight, obesity and central fat patterning among the Inuit of Greenland and Inuit migrants in Denmark and their relation to Westernization. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study. SUBJECTS: A total of 2046 adult Greenlanders (Inuit), 61% of those invited to participate, living in three areas of Greenland and in Denmark. MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index (BMI in kg/m²) and waist-hip ratio calculated. Sociocultural information was obtained by questionnaire and interview. Westernization was estimated by language and place of residence. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity (≥ 130 kg/m²) was 16 and 22% among men and women in Greenland (P = 0.004), and 12 and 11%, respectively, in Denmark (NS). Westernization was accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of obese people, in particular among women. Adjusted for BMI, age and Inuit heritage waist circumference decreased with Westernization (among women), while hip circumference did not change. The differences were particularly pronounced for migrants compared with residents of Greenland. CONCLUSION: BMI and central fat patterning decrease with Westernization among Greenland Inuit women contrary to most studies of migrants. The changes were less prominent among men. This suggests a reduced cardiovascular risk profile with Westernization among Greenland Inuit.

Revue / Journal Title

International journal of obesity   ISSN 0307-0565   CODEN IJOBDP 

Source / Source

2002, vol. 26, n^o11, pp. 1503-1510 [8 page(s) (article)] (28 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Nature Publishing, Basingstoke, ROYAUME-UNI  (1977) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Nutrition disorder ; America ; North America ; Human ; Nutritional status ; Prevalence ; Cross sectional study ; Immigrant ; Greenland ; Epidemiology ; Sex ; Ethnic group ; Adult ; Obesity ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Trouble nutrition ; Amérique ; Amérique du Nord ; Homme ; Occidentalisation ; Etat nutritionnel ; Prévalence ; Etude transversale ; Immigrant ; Groenland ; Epidémiologie ; Sexe ; Ethnie ; Adulte ; Obésité ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Trastorno nutricíon ; America ; America del norte ; Hombre ; Estado nutricional ; Prevalencia ; Estudio transversal ; Inmigrante ; Groenlandia ; Epidemiología ; Sexo ; Etnia ; Adulto ; Obesidad ;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

Inuit ; Greenland ; migrants ; Westernization ; obesity ; central fat patterning ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 18243, 35400010714005.0110