Search

Despite the tradition of a diet high in fish oils and abundant physical activity, coronary artery disease is increasing among Alaska Eskimos. Explanations for this observation include lifestyle changes. In this cross-sectional analysis, we evaluated dietary patterns of Alaska Eskimos and investigated the relations between these dietary patterns and known cardiovascular risk factors, including inflammatory markers. We used a principal component analysis with data from FFQ collected in 2000-2004 to determine dietary patterns of Alaska Eskimos. Four dietary patterns were identified: a traditional pattern, plus 3 patterns based on purchased food, one of which reflected healthy food choices. The traditional dietary pattern was associated with lower triglycerides (P < 0.001) and blood pressure (P = 0.04) and slightly higher LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.05). Whereas the healthy purchased diet was associated with a trend toward lower LDL-C (P = 0.09), the beverages and sweets diet was positively associated with LDL-C (P = 0.02). Diet pattern was not associated with inflammatory markers or pathogen burden. Our data show that the traditional diet is related to a better profile of cardiovascular disease risk factors and should be encouraged. Programs are needed to encourage the availability of healthy food choices for those not able to obtain traditional foods. J. Nutr. 139: 2322-2328, 2009. Manuscript received May 22, 2009. Initial review completed July 1, 2009. Revision accepted September 15, 2009 First published online October 14, 2009; doi: 10.3945/jn.109.110387.

Dietary factors influence the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The diet of Alaskan Eskimos differs from that of other populations. We surveyed Eskimo adults in Northwest Alaska to document their usual dietary intakes, differences based on gender and age, and sources of selected nutrients, and to generate appropriate dietary advice to reduce CVD. Interviewers surveyed 850 men and women 17-92 y old, using a quantitative food-frequency instrument. We observed many significant ([chi square] analysis P < 0.05) differences in nutrient intakes among 3 age-groups. Energy intake from carbohydrate was negatively related to participant age-group (P [less than or equal to] 0.01). Energy intake from all fats (P < 0.001) and polyunsaturated fat (P [less than or equal to] 0.01) was positively related to age-group among both men and women in contrast to other studies in which age differences were either not observed or decreased with age. Native foods were major sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including 56% of (n-3) fatty acids primarily from seal oil and salmon. However, Native foods contributed significantly less to the diets of young adults than to those of elders, especially among women. Store-bought foods were the main sources of energy, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat, and fiber for all adults. Based on their nutrient density and potential to inhibit CVD, continued consumption of traditional foods is recommended. Variations in intake by age may portend changing eating patterns that will influence CVD as participants age. These data will contribute to understanding dietary risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this population. KEY WORDS: * Alaskan diet * cardiovascular disease * n-3 fatty acids

Chronic gastrointestinal infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori may be responsible for the chronic iron deficiency seen in many Alaska natives. Researchers studying the Yupik eskimos found that many had anemia even though their diet is rich in iron. In a detailed study of 140 adults, 90% had blood in their stool. Among 70 who had endoscopy, 97% had evidence of severe Helicobacter pylori infection that caused ulcers and hemorrhages. They also had evidence of gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach. This could account for their gastrointestinal bleeding., Objective.--To confirm prevalent iron deficiency among Yupik Eskimos living in Alaska and to explore the frequency of and potential lesions accounting for occult gastrointestinal bleeding. Design.--Descriptive survey. Setting.--Rural Arctic community. Subjects.--A total of 140 adult volunteers from 3 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of western Alaska. Main Outcome Measures.--Daily iron intake, hematologic and biochemical indexes of iron status, fecal hemoglobin levels, stool parasites, and endoscopic findings. Results.--While dietary iron intake by Yupiks was similar to that of a reference population, iron deficiency prevalence was increased 13-fold in Yupik men and 4-fold in Yupik women. Fecal hemoglobin levels were elevated in 90% of subjects contrasted with only 4% of a reference group; median levels were 5.9 and 0.5 mg of hemoglobin per gram of stool, respectively. Among 70 Yupik subjects with elevated fecal hemoglobin levels who had endoscopy performed, 68. (97%) had an abnormal gastric appearance consisting of erythema, mucosal thickening, diffuse mucosal hemorrhages, erosions, or ulcerations. Gastric biopsies revealed chronic active gastritis with associated Helicobacter pylori in 68 (99%) of 69. No other hemorrhagic gastrointestinal disease was detected. Conclusions.--Based on this study sample, occult gastrointestinal bleeding appears to be pervasive in the Yupik population and likely underlies the prevalent iron deficiency. An atypical hemorrhagic gastritis associated with H pylori infection is present almost universally and may represent the bleeding source. JAMA. 1997;277:1135-1139

To define more fully the nature of a persistently high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia observed among Alaska Native children, we examined dietary iron intake, hemoglobin concentrations, and storage iron (serum ferritin) based on multiple cross-sectional surveys of Alaska Natives between 1983 and 1989. Approximately 30 to 50% of the children studied INDEXING KEY WORDS: Alaska Natives, iron deficiency, anemia, fecal occult blood, humans

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on "The diet of Alaskan Native adults" by E. D. Nobmann , T. Byers and A. P. Lanier in the 1992 issue.

Arctic peoples are spread over eight countries and comprise 3.74 million residents, of whom 9% are indigenous. The Arctic countries include Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Although Arctic peoples are very diverse, there are a variety of environmental and health issues that are unique to the Arctic regions, and research exploring these issues offers significant opportunities, as well as challenges. On July 28-29, 2004, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research co-sponsored a working group entitled "Research with Arctic Peoples: Unique Research Opportunities in Heart, Lung, Blood and Sleep Disorders". The meeting was international in scope with investigators from Greenland, Iceland and Russia, as well as Canada and the United States. Multiple health agencies from Canada and the United States sent representatives. Also attending were representatives from the International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) and the National Indian Health Board. The working group developed a set of ten recommendations related to research opportunities in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders; obstacles and solutions to research implementation; and ways to facilitate international comparisons. These recommendations are expected to serve as an agenda for future research.

Objectives: Evaluate two field methods to assess body composition of rural Alaska women. Excess body fat has been correlated with chronic diseases., Methods: This exploratory study used an orally administered survey of a self-selected sample from five rural Alaskan villages. Electrical impedance technique was used to determine percent of body fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on clinically obtained height and weight and compared to historical data by geographical regions. Self-reported health data and fingerstick screenings were used to assess health status., Results: The body mass index tool assessed more women at excessive weight than did the percent body fat assessment tool. Fingerstick screenings for glucose, cholesterol, and hemoglobin were generally found to be in normal ranges., Conclusions: Percent of body fat may be more accurate to determine weight status for many Alaska Native women. Historical body mass indices may indicate periods of prolonged limited food supplies for a geographic region.