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PubMed2006

Diet quality among Yup'ik Eskimos living in rural communities is low: the Center for Alaska Native Health Research Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this pilot study were to describe the nutrient intake of Yup'ik Eskimos in comparison with national intake, identify dietary sources of key nutrients, and assess the utility of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) to measure diet quality of Yup'ik Eskimos living in rural Alaskan Native communities. PARTICIPANTS AND DESIGN: A single 24-hour recall was collected from 48 male and 44 female Yup'ik Eskimos (aged 14 to 81 years), who resided in three villages in the Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta, AK, during September 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HEI scores, nutrient intake, and traditional food intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Spearman correlations for associations between variables. RESULTS: Youth scored higher than elders despite similar nutrient intakes. Overall diet quality was generally low; 63% of all participants' diets were classified as poor. Although the HEI serves to identify areas of concern with respect to diet quality, it is limited in its ability to detect the positive value of traditional foods. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional foods and healthful market foods, including rich sources of fiber and calcium, should be encouraged. Although traditional foods were important sources of energy and nutrients, market foods composed the preponderance of the diet, emphasizing the importance of appropriately modifying a diet quality index based on a Western framework, such as the HEI.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

HLA antigen and gene frequencies in Eskimos of East Greenland.

A population of 78 Ammassallik Eskimos was tested for HLA-A, B, Cw, DR and DQ specificities using serological techniques and HLA-Cw, DRB, DQB1 and DPB1 using three different genomic techniques. The application of two new genomic techniques for HLA-Cw (PCR-SSP phototyping) and HLA-DPB1 (PCR-RLFP) typing confirmed serological results and gave a higher resolution, with more heterozygotes than previously found. High gene frequencies of HLA-A24 (0.80), B51 (0. 21), B61 (0.30), B62 (0.21), Cw*0303 (0.27), Cw*0304 (0.51), DRB1*0401 (0.45), DRB1*1402 (0.24), DQ7 (0.88), DPB1*0201 (0.18), DPB1*0401 (0.40) and DPB1*0402 (0.30) were found. A limited number of alleles were found at all HLA loci. The Ammassallik Eskimos of East Greenland are genetically homogenous with little, if any, admixture with European populations. This contrasts with other Greenlandic populations formerly tested. The pattern of alleles indicates a close genetic relationship with other Eskimo populations.

Gene Frequency↗

PubMedDate not supplied

ABH secretion polymorphism in Icelanders, Aland Islanders, Finns, Finnish Lapps, Komi and Greenland Eskimos: a review and new data.

The secretion of the ABH antigens in saliva was tested in indigenous individuals of several populations: Icelanders in Reykjavik and Husavik (northeastern Iceland), Aland Islanders, Finno-Ugrians (Finns, Finnish Lapps, Komi) and Eskimos (Augpilagtok, northwestern Greenland). The frequencies of ABH non-secretors among the Icelanders (28-36%) were among the highest ever noted in Europeans. Among Alanders and Swedes on the Finnish mainland the frequency (around 20%) was comparable to Swedish values but considerably higher than among Finns (13-14%). The values among northeastern Finns and Komi (about 9%) were intermediate between values among Lapps (below 5%) and Scandinavians (15-26%), excluding Icelanders (28-41%). The average frequency of non-secretors among Lapps in Finland (2.2 +/- 0.5%) was the lowest observed among white populations. Like many other arctic populations of the Mongolian race, the Greenland Eskimos had a very low frequency of non-secretors. It is probable that the non-secretor allele ABH*se was absent from the ancient Lapps and Greenland Eskimos but introduced by invading populations. It is concluded that the ABH*se allele frequencies vary much more among northern European populations than hitherto appreciated. Recent studies indicate that the non-secretor status of the ABH blood group substances in mucous body fluids is associated with pathological conditions of the mucous membranes of the embryologically related digestive and respiratory systems, particularly with duodenal ulcer and gastric (pre)malignancies but probably also with pulmonary dysfunction. In view of these disadvantages of the ABH non-secretor status the high frequency of ABH*se in Icelanders is a paradoxical phenomenon. The frequency of ABH non-secretors among the founders (Vikings) of Iceland may have been considerably higher than among the present populations in northwestern Europe. The increase in northwestern direction of the ABH*se allele frequencies supports this hypothesis; the dilution effect has not been as strong in Iceland as on the European continent.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Eskimo women and a menstrual cycle study: some ethnographic notes.

This article examines ethnographic data collected from indigenous Alaskan women who participated in a menstrual cycle study conducted by The Tremin Trust Research Program, initially known as the Menstruation and Reproductive History Program (MRH). In the 1960s, the MRH program was expanded to Alaska to study non-Caucasian women's menstrual cycles. In addition, an ethnographer collected data through participation observation from some 345 women who participated in the MRH study. These data were recorded in field notebooks during site visits to Alaskan villages. Major themes and contextual information were identified in the data that described the daily lives of the women and their experiences as research participants. Eskimo women described the cultural conflicts that arose during the conduct of the menstrual studies and problems encountered when the investigators failed to account for the traditional gender roles in Eskimo society. Cultural differences were apparent when the women described the culturally inappropriate health education provided by the research team. The goals of the menstrual cycle study emphasized research progress rather than the health needs of the research participants; this emphasis accentuated the severity of health problems and the lack of health services experienced by Eskimo women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Hepatitis B testing in the families and villages of five young eskimos with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

A 15-year-old female Eskimo and a 22-year-old male Eskimo from a southwestern Alaskan village (population 540) were diagnosed as having primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) in December, 1977. The fathers of both patients also died of PHC. Three additional cases of PHC affecting young Alaskan Eskimos had been diagnosed since 1972, all from neighboring villages. Four of the five young patients were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and the family members of three patients were all positive for HBsAg or antibody to this antigen (anti-HBs). The other two families had no members positive for HBsAg. The prevalence of HBsAg in the villages of these patients ranged from 0--5%, and the prevalence of anti-HBs ranged from 3--25%. This part of Alaska has a high rate of infection with hepatitis B virus and an increased incidence of PHC. However, other Alaskan villages of similar ethnic background have considerably higher rates of hepatitis B infection than the four villages described and to date they have no PHC. This suggests that genetic and/or environmental factors in addition to hepatitis B infection may have a role in the etiology of PHC in Alaska.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

The composition of food consumed by Greenland Eskimos.

Food specimens have been collected, by means of the double-portion technique, from Greenland Eskimo hunters and their wives, in all seven persons, on seven consecutive days. Their food was found to contain more protein and less carbohydrates than average Danish food and an almost equal amount of fat. Compared with Danish food, the fatty acid pattern of the consumed lipids--essentially of mammalian marine origin--showed a higher content of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially C20:5) and lower contents of linoleic and linolenic acids. However, the sum of the polyunsaturated fatty acids was smaller than in Danish food. Using Keys' formula, describing the serum cholesterol level as a function of the nutritional fatty acids, the essentially lower serum choelsterol level found in Greenland Eskimos was not explained by our findings. It is suggested instead to be a special metabolic effect of the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine mammals. There might be a similar effect on the plasma triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein concentrations, explaining the much lower plasma concentrations of these components in Eskimos than in Western populations. Our findings might have an essential bearing on the difference in morbidity from coronary atherosclerotic disease between these populations.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Timing of permanent tooth emergence in two Greenland Eskimo populations.

Mean times of emergence of the permanent teeth (except the first and third molars and mandibular central incisors) were studied cross-sectionally in an unmixed East Greenland population in 1957 and in present West Greenland Eskimo children. In spite of differences in racial and environmental conditions, practically no difference was found between the two samples in the timing of dental development in general, taking into account the average difference in emergence times of the individual teeth. Both samples showed advanced dental development in comparison with two unmixed Caucasoid and two unmixed Mongoloid populations. The mutual similarity in timing of tooth emergence between the East and West Greenland Eskimo children considerably greater than the similarity between each of the Eskimo samples and any of the other four populations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Epidemiologic studies on Eskimos and fish intake.

Chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus are uncommon in Eskimos. Total cholesterol levels are generally low, whereas HDL cholesterol levels are higher than those in an age- and sex-matched Danish population. It is frequently assumed that this is mainly due to their dietary pattern, especially with its high content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, derived from fish and other seafoods. Dietary surveys have shown that the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Eskimos is about 14 g/day, whereas it is 3 g/day in Denmark and about 0.2 g/day in the United States. However, the Eskimo diet also differs from the Western diet in other aspects, especially in the intake of saturated fatty acids which is low (9 energy-%). The intake of dietary cholesterol is rather high because of the large consumption of seafood. Individually based studies are better suited to disentangle the health effects of different nutrients, inasmuch as confounding factors can be taken into account. Several cohort studies have now shown that the consumption of 1-2 fish meals per week is associated with a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. Recently, similar results concerning glucose intolerance and stroke were also reported. These combined data suggest that a diet low in saturated fatty acids, in combination with a low or moderate level of fish consumption, may be of importance in the prevention of diseases such as coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and diabetes mellitus.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Spheroid degeneration of cornea and conjunctiva. Prevalence among Eskimos in Greenland and Caucasians in Copenhagen.

The incidence of spheroid degeneration has been studied in a series of 659 Eskimos from Arctic South-West Greenland and one of 810 Caucasians in Copenhagen with its temperate climate. The over-all prevalence was highest among the Eskimos (12.3% against 4.1% among the Copenhageners, P less than 0.001). The prevalence was found to be independent of sex, but to rise with increasing age (however, with a fall again after the age of 70 years in Copenhagen). The spheroid deposits were present on the conjunctiva in 74%, on the cornea in 18%, and at both sites in 8%. 71% of the subjects displayed autofluorescent globular deposits. These constituted 10% of the total number of globules. The number of globules per subject averaged 30. Spheroid degeneration was rarely found temporally in Eskimos. Spheroid degenerative processes are most frequently seen in pingueculae, but are not considered bear any relation to pterygium.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Anterior chamber depth, genes and environment. A population study among long-term Greenland Eskimo immigrants in Copenhagen.

Previous population studies have demonstrated a shallow anterior chamber as an inherited characteristic of Eskimos, explaining their high prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma. In order to evaluate the stability of the anterior chamber depth (ACD) distribution and its inherent morbidity risk in a different environment, immigrant Greenland Eskimo women in Copenhagen, aged 40 years or more were sampled. Those who had been at least 25 years in Denmark were examined (N = 64), using Haag Streit pachymetry, limbal chamber depth (LCD) estimation and gonioscopy. The ACD level of the immigrants was significantly higher than that of their background population, in ethnically 'mixed' as well as 'pure' subgroups, and correspondingly the LCD grading was higher among the immigrants. Primary angle-closure glaucoma was found in 3%. The refraction showed no significant trend towards myopia compared with native Greenland Eskimos. Environmental factors influencing ACD, e.g. through the rate of biological ageing, seem to exist, but their nature is unknown.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Limbal and axial chamber depth variations. A population study in Eskimos.

In an unselected population sample of 505 adult Greenland Eskimos limbal chamber depth (LCD) was estimated according to van Herick et al. (1969), and axial chamber depth (ACD) was measured optically using Haag Streit pachymetry. For comparison LCD was estimated in 308 Danes above 40 years. A marked naso-temporal asymmetry in LCD scoring was found indicating a shallower chamber at the temporal limbus. No corresponding gonioscopic asymmetry was observed. Significant age, sex, and ethnic variations were demonstrated, the lower levels of both parameters being found in elderly persons, women and Eskimos, respectively. Danes showed a lower level of LCD scores than reported in Americans. In detection of eyes showing shallow chambers in the Eskimo population (arbitrarily: ACD less than or equal to 2.0 mm) the van Herick slit-lamp test at temporal limbus yielded a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 53% and predictive values of a positive and a negative test of 30% and 96%, respectively. At gonioscopy narrow angles were often found among eyes showing LCD less than or equal to 1/4 of corneal thickness, even when ACD was greater than 2.0 mm (in 25%).

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Anterior chamber of the eye. A genetic and anthropological study in Greenland Eskimos.

During a population survey in Eskimos family resemblance with respect to anterior chamber depth (ACD) was studied. Heritability estimates of about 0.7 against a marital correlation of zero were obtained. No correlation between ACD and parity, but a significant correlation with stature was found which possibly accounts for the sex difference in ACD. Significant associations between ACD, iris colour, facial appearance, and corneal diameter were observed. West Greenlanders with a predominantly Eskimoan physiognomy showed smaller anterior chambers than unmixed East Greenland Eskimos and Eskimo-Caucasian hybrids.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale as a potential screening tool for use with Eskimos.

OBJECTIVE: The study assessed the utility of a modified Zung Self-Rated Depression Scale (SDS) in detecting major depression among Eskimo patients in the Bering Straits region of Alaska. METHODS: The modified SDS was administered to Eskimo patients referred for psychiatric evaluation at the community mental health center in Nome. Diagnoses were assigned by a staff psychiatrist based on DSM-III-R criteria. The SDS scores of 25 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of major depression were compared with the scores of 25 consecutive patients assigned other psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS: The modified SDS was readily understood by patients and took between three and four minutes to complete. The mean SDS score of patients with a diagnosis of major depression was significantly different from that of patients with other diagnoses. The SDS had a sensitivity of 80 percent and specificity of 88 percent for detecting patients with major depression. CONCLUSIONS: The SDS is easy to administer and can differentiate between patients with major depression and those with other psychiatric diagnoses. It can be modified to fit local idiom in an Eskimo community. The SDS shows promise as a clinically relevant screening tool for major depression in populations with limited access to psychiatric care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Alaskan Eskimos, Indians, and Aleuts.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Alaska Natives has been thought to be low, but no survey of this condition in all natives has been conducted. Medical records from 1979 to 1985 were reviewed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes mellitus in Alaska Natives. Computerized outpatient and inpatient medical record data and clinician reports were used to identify cases. As of December 1985, 610 living Alaska Natives fulfilled diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus was found in 564 subjects, type I diabetes was found in 15 subjects, and unspecified type of diabetes was found in 31 subjects. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes mellitus, 15.7/1000, was lower than the overall United States rate of 24.7/1000. However, age-adjusted prevalence varied considerably by ethnic group; the prevalence was 27.2/1000 among Aleuts, 22.0/1000 among Alaskan Indians, and 8.8/1000 among Alaskan Eskimos. Rates within the Eskimo subgroups varied by a factor of four. Compared with previous reports, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Alaskan Eskimos appears to have increased. Diabetes mellitus is no longer a rare condition among Alaska Natives.

Alaska↗

PubMed2005

Identification of microsatellite markers linked to progressive retinal atrophy in American Eskimo Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To identify microsatellite markers linked to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in American Eskimo Dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples or buccal epithelial cells from 66 American Eskimo Dogs, including 53 PRA-unaffected and 13 PRA-affected dogs. PROCEDURE: The genotypes of unaffected and affected dogs were determined by use of microsatellite markers spanning canine chromosome 9 (CFA09). Homozygosity mapping was used to detect linkage between markers and the gene locus for PRA. RESULTS: Significant allelic association between marker alleles and the gene locus for PRA was detected for GALK1 and TK1, indicating linkage between these markers and the causative gene locus for PRA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data indicate that PRA in American Eskimo Dogs is located on CFA09 and allow for the development of a microsatellite-based test to identify carrier (unaffected) and affected dogs before clinical signs appear.

Alleles↗

PubMed2005

Eskimos have CHD despite high consumption of omega-3 fatty acids: the Alaska Siberia project.

OBJECTIVES: The thirty-year-old hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid (FA) may "reduce the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in the Western World" still needs to be tested. Dyerberg-Bang based their supposition on casual observations that coronary atherosclerosis in Greenlandic Inuit was 'almost unknown' and that they consumed large amounts of omega-3 FAs. However, no association was demonstrated with data. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: 454 Alaskan Eskimos were screened for coronary heart disease (CHD), using a protocol that included ECG, medical history, Rose questionnaire, blood chemistries, including plasma FA concentrations, and a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire assessment of omega-3 FA consumption. RESULTS: CHD was found in 6% of the cohort under 55 years of age and in 26% of those > or = 55 years of age. Eskimos with CHD consume as much omega-3 FAs as those without CHD, and the plasma concentrations confirm that dietary assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Average daily consumption of omega-3 FAs among Eskimos was high, with about 3-4 g/d reported, compared with 1-2 g/d used in intervention studies and the average consumption of 0.2 g/d by the American population. There was no association between current omega-3 FA consumption/blood concentrations and the presence of CHD.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cancer in Alaskan Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts, 1969-83: implications for etiology and control.

The authors collected and analyzed cancer incidence data for Alaska Natives (Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts) for the 15-year period 1969-83 by ethnic and linguistic groups. Compared with U.S. whites, observed-to-expected ratios are high in more than one ethnic group for cancer of the nasopharynx, salivary gland, liver, gallbladder, and cervix. Low ratios were found for cancer of the breast, uterus, bladder, and melanoma. In Alaska, Eskimos have the highest risk for cancer of the esophagus and liver and the lowest risk for breast and prostate cancer. Risk for multiple myeloma in Indian men in Alaska exceeds not only those of other Native groups in Alaska but that in U.S. whites as well. Despite the short period studied, increases in cancer incidence over time can be documented for lung cancer in Eskimo men and women combined, and for cervical cancer, especially in Indian women.

Alaska↗

PubMed1989

n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease--observations generated by studies in Greenland Eskimos.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 type (n-3 PUFAs) may offer some protection against ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Part of the evidence has been derived from our investigations on Greenland Eskimos. Through six expeditions to Greenland, we have studied Eskimos living on their traditional sea diet. We found favourable changes in lipids and lipoproteins, together with a reduced platelet reactivity in the Eskimos - findings of importance for their low incidence of IHD. In this survey we intend to review studies on the effects of an increased intake of n-3 PUFAs, focusing on lipids and platelets. We conclude that beneficial changes in general have been obtained. However, individual patients and patient groups likely to profit from supplementation with n-3 PUFAs need to be further defined. The optimum dose needs to be established, and the effect and safety to be documented by highly needed long term studies.

Coronary Disease↗