Vitamin D status and intake of lactating Inuit women living in the Canadian Arctic

• Published in: Public Health Nutrition
• Main Authors: El Hayek Fares, Jessy, Weiler, Hope A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2018
• Subjects: First Nations; International Polar Year; inuit; Inuvialuit; Nunavut
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980017004189; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1368980017004189

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and correlates of healthy vitamin D status in lactating Inuit women living in remote regions of the Arctic. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Households were selected randomly in thirty-six communities of Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h recall and an FFQ. Anthropometric measurements, household living conditions, supplement use and health status were assessed. In fasting samples, serum 25-hydroxyvitaimn D (25(OH)D) was measured using a chemiluminescent assay (LIAISON; Diasorin Inc.). Subjects Lactating Inuit women participating in the 2007–2008 International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey conducted in the months of August to October. Results Among participants ( n 34), 8·8, 26·5 and 50·0 % had 25(OH)D concentrations at or above 75, 50 and 40 nmol/l, respectively. More than one-third of participants did not consume traditional foods during the previous day and only 11·3 % of total energy intake was derived from traditional foods. Only 14·7 % of the sample consumed the daily number of milk servings recommended by Canada’s Food Guide (two servings) for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Using multivariable logistic regression to examine 25(OH)D≥40 nmol/l, only higher body fat was inversely correlated with 25(OH)D concentration. Conclusions The present study is the first to assess simultaneously vitamin D status and other known factors that affect it among lactating Inuit women living in remote communities in the Arctic. Healthy maternal vitamin D status was observed in 25 % of participants during the late summer and early autumn. This requires further assessment in a larger sample spanning more seasons.