Traditional foods and 25(OH)D concentrations in a subarctic First Nations community

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Sudaba Mansuri, Alaa Badawi, Sheena Kayaniyil, David E. Cole, Stewart B. Harris, Mary Mamakeesick, Thomas Wolever, Joel Gittelsohn, Jonathon L. Maguire, Philip W. Connelly, Bernard Zinman, Anthony J. Hanley
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2016
• Subjects: 25(OH)D; determinants; First Nations; traditional foods; traditional activities; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Canada; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v75.31956; https://doaj.org/article/9ea4cca005214c4ba6792ee127990acb

Background: Sub-optimal vitamin D status is common worldwide and the condition may be associated with increased risk for various chronic diseases. In particular, low vitamin D status is highly prevalent in indigenous communities in Canada, although limited data are available on the determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in this population. The relationship between traditional food consumption and vitamin D status has not been well documented. Objective: To investigate the determinants of serum 25(OH)D status in a First Nations community in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on the role of traditional food consumption and activities. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted within the Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project (2003–2005). A total of 445 participants (>12 years of age) were assessed for serum 25(OH)D status, anthropometric and lifestyle variables, including traditional and non-traditional dietary practices and activities. Diet patterns were identified using factor analysis, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to analyse the determinants of 25(OH)D concentrations. Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 22.1 nmol/L (16.9, 29.9 nmol/L) in men and 20.5 nmol/L (16.0, 27.3 nmol/L) in women. Multivariate determinants of higher serum 25(OH)D included higher consumption of traditional and healthier market foods, higher wild fish consumption, male gender, spring/summer season of blood collection and more frequent physical activity. Significant negative determinants included hours of TV/day, higher BMI and higher consumption of unhealthy market foods. Conclusions: Traditional food consumption contributed independently to higher 25(OH)D concentrations in a First Nations community with a high prevalence of sub-optimal vitamin D status.