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14:59
Determination of Total Lipid and Lipid Classes in Marine Samples
Published on: December 11, 2021
Trans-polar-fat: all Inuit are not equal
Émilie Counil1, Éric Dewailly, Peter Bjerregaard
1Public Health Research Unit, CHUL Research Centre, Québec, Canada.Emilie. Counil@crchul.ulaval.ca.
The British Journal of Nutrition
|April 2, 2008
Summary
Inuit populations show concerning dietary shifts, with higher trans-fatty acid (TFA) intake and lower n-3 fatty acid levels in Nunavik compared to Greenland. Younger Inuit exhibit the most significant dietary changes, highlighting the need for policy interventions.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Arctic Health Research
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Arctic populations, including the Inuit, are undergoing rapid socio-cultural transitions impacting dietary patterns.
- Traditional marine diets rich in n-3 fatty acids are being replaced by imported, lower-quality foods containing trans-fatty acids (TFA).
- These dietary changes have significant implications for the health of Arctic communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present original data on biological levels of n-3 and trans-fatty acids (TFA) in Inuit populations.
- To assess the contribution of store-bought foods to energy intake in Inuit communities.
- To compare fatty acid profiles between Inuit in Greenland and Nunavik (Northern Québec).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 524 Inuit from Disko Bay, Greenland, and 888 Inuit from 14 communities in Nunavik, Northern Québec.
- Measurement of erythrocyte membrane phospholipid fatty acid profiles as a proxy for individual dietary intake.
- Dietary questionnaires used to assess the proportion of energy derived from store-bought foods.
Main Results:
- Nunavik Inuit had significantly higher TFA levels (1.20%) compared to Greenlanders (0.43%).
- n-3 fatty acid levels were lower in Nunavik (9.4%) than in Greenland (12.1%).
- Younger Inuit in Nunavik showed higher TFA and lower n-3 fatty acid intakes, with store-bought foods comprising over 80% of energy intake.
Conclusions:
- Urgent action is needed to promote access to traditional country foods in Arctic communities.
- Nunavik and other circumpolar regions should consider implementing policies similar to Denmark and Greenland's restrictions on industrial trans-fats.
- Dietary shifts towards processed foods pose a significant public health challenge for Inuit populations.
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