Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese?
Abstract This paper reviews the ethnographic, historical, and recent epidemiological evidence of obesity among the Inuit/Eskimo in the circumpolar region. The Inuit are clearly at higher risk for obesity than other populations globally, if “universal” measures based on body mass index (BMI) and wais...
Published in: | American Journal of Human Biology |
---|---|
Main Author: | |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2007
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20617 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fajhb.20617 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajhb.20617 |
id |
crwiley:10.1002/ajhb.20617 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
crwiley:10.1002/ajhb.20617 2024-09-15T18:05:04+00:00 Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? Young, T.K. 2007 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20617 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fajhb.20617 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajhb.20617 en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor American Journal of Human Biology volume 19, issue 2, page 181-189 ISSN 1042-0533 1520-6300 journal-article 2007 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20617 2024-07-30T04:22:26Z Abstract This paper reviews the ethnographic, historical, and recent epidemiological evidence of obesity among the Inuit/Eskimo in the circumpolar region. The Inuit are clearly at higher risk for obesity than other populations globally, if “universal” measures based on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and criteria such as those of WHO are used. Inuit women in particular have very high mean waist circumference levels in international comparisons. Given the limited trend data, BMI‐defined obesity is more common today than even as recently as three decades ago. Inuit are not immune from the health hazards associated with obesity. However, the “dose–response” curves for the impact of obesity on metabolic indicators such as plasma lipids and blood pressure are lower than in other populations. Long‐term, follow‐up studies are needed to determine the metabolic consequences and disease risks of different categories of obesity. At least in one respect, the higher relative sitting height among Inuit, obesity measures based on BMI may not be appropriate for the Inuit. Ultimately, it is important to go beyond simple anthropometry to more accurate determination of body composition studies, and also localization of body fat using imaging techniques such as ultrasound and computed tomography. Internationally, there is increasing recognition of the need for ethnospecific obesity criteria. Notwithstanding the need for better quality epidemiological data, there is already an urgent need for action in the design and evaluation of community‐based health interventions, if the emerging epidemic of obesity and other chronic diseases are to be averted. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:181–189, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Article in Journal/Newspaper eskimo* inuit Wiley Online Library American Journal of Human Biology 19 2 181 189 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Wiley Online Library |
op_collection_id |
crwiley |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract This paper reviews the ethnographic, historical, and recent epidemiological evidence of obesity among the Inuit/Eskimo in the circumpolar region. The Inuit are clearly at higher risk for obesity than other populations globally, if “universal” measures based on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and criteria such as those of WHO are used. Inuit women in particular have very high mean waist circumference levels in international comparisons. Given the limited trend data, BMI‐defined obesity is more common today than even as recently as three decades ago. Inuit are not immune from the health hazards associated with obesity. However, the “dose–response” curves for the impact of obesity on metabolic indicators such as plasma lipids and blood pressure are lower than in other populations. Long‐term, follow‐up studies are needed to determine the metabolic consequences and disease risks of different categories of obesity. At least in one respect, the higher relative sitting height among Inuit, obesity measures based on BMI may not be appropriate for the Inuit. Ultimately, it is important to go beyond simple anthropometry to more accurate determination of body composition studies, and also localization of body fat using imaging techniques such as ultrasound and computed tomography. Internationally, there is increasing recognition of the need for ethnospecific obesity criteria. Notwithstanding the need for better quality epidemiological data, there is already an urgent need for action in the design and evaluation of community‐based health interventions, if the emerging epidemic of obesity and other chronic diseases are to be averted. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:181–189, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Young, T.K. |
spellingShingle |
Young, T.K. Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
author_facet |
Young, T.K. |
author_sort |
Young, T.K. |
title |
Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
title_short |
Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
title_full |
Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
title_fullStr |
Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
title_full_unstemmed |
Are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
title_sort |
are the circumpolar inuit becoming obese? |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2007 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20617 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fajhb.20617 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajhb.20617 |
genre |
eskimo* inuit |
genre_facet |
eskimo* inuit |
op_source |
American Journal of Human Biology volume 19, issue 2, page 181-189 ISSN 1042-0533 1520-6300 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20617 |
container_title |
American Journal of Human Biology |
container_volume |
19 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
181 |
op_container_end_page |
189 |
_version_ |
1810442642231656448 |