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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Low fasting insulin levels in Eskimos compared to American Indians: are Eskimos less insulin resistant?

The prevalence of diabetes is relatively low among Eskimo people in contrast to that in other Native American populations. The reasons for this may be partially explained by differences in the occurrence of insulin resistance. In this report we compare fasting insulin levels, which correlate with insulin resistance, in Alaskan Eskimo subjects to those among American Indians. After adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index, and using identical laboratory methods, we found significantly lower insulin levels among Eskimo compared with Indian participants with normal glucose tolerance. Among Eskimos insulin levels increased with increasing body mass index, were higher for women than men, and did not appreciably change with age. Our data suggest that among Eskimo people insulin resistance may be less prevalent or severe than among American Indians, but that obesity is associated with increased insulin resistance. Future analyses will examine the association between insulin levels and other correlates of the insulin resistance syndrome. We hope that by further characterizing insulin resistance or sensitivity among Eskimo people, specific recommendations can be made that will lead to cardiovascular risk factor reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Are Eskimos more or less obese than other Canadians? A comparison of skinfold thickness and ponderal index of Canadian Eskimos.

Skinfold thickness, height, and weight measurements were recorded from 1964 through 1970 for more than 1,000 adult Eskimos who resided in the Central and Eastern Canadian Arctic. Among the men and women of all age groups, 70 to 83% had a low ponderal index (PI less than 12.5). Nutrition Canada reported similar rates in 200 adult Eskimos and therefore considered Eskimos, especially Eskimo men, as more obese than other Canadians. Thin skinfolds were found in most Eskimo men, including those with a low PI. The usefulness of the PI or other height/weight indices for appraisal of body fatness and prevalence of obesity in different population groups is questioned. Marked sex differences were found in the ratio of the skinfold thickness over the triceps to the mean thickness of two sites on the trunk (subscapular and suprailiac). Thus, use of the arm plus trunk sites provides important information about subcutaneous fat distribution, and comparisons of prevalence of obesity in different sex and age groups based only on arm skinfold measurements may be inappropriate.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1994

[The epidemiology of spondylarthropathies among the native inhabitants of Chukotka (Eskimos and Chukchi). 1. The prevalence of spondylarthropathies among the Eskimos and the coast Chukchi].

To establish the prevalence of spondyloarthropathies among the indigenous population of Chukot Peninsula, a one-stage cross-sectional study was made with a direct medical examination of the natives of the two settlements of Eastern Chukot Peninsula: Sireniki and Novo-Chaplino where the main part of Eskimos live. During expedition, 640 natives aged over 6 years lived in both settlements (382 and 258 respectively). 464 persons (72.5%) were examined. Of these, 7 persons (1.5%) were diagnosed to suffer from diseases belonging to the group of spondyloarthropathies: 2 persons (0.4%) had ankylosing spondyloarthritis, 2 (0.4%) Reiter's syndrome, 2 undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies, and 1 juvenile chronic arthritis. Of the 7 patients, 4 were Eskimos, 2 half-breeds and 1 was a Chukchi man. The incidence of ankylosing spondyloarthritis among Eskimos amounted to 0.9%, Reiter's syndrome to 0.5%, and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies to 0.5%. Thus the one-stage expedition examination of the indigenous population of Chukotka Peninsula (Eskimos and Chukchi) has shown that diseases belonging to the group of spondyloarthropathies are widely prevalent among Eskimos.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Genetic and ecological study of aboriginal populations of northeastern Siberia. II. Polymorphic blood systems, immunoglobulin allotypes and other genetic markers in asian eskimos. Genetic structure of Bering sea eskimos].

Blood groups, immunoglobulin allotypes, serum proteins and red cell enzymes were tested in four populations of Asiatic Eskimos. 12 of 16 gene loci studied were found to be polymorphic. Analysis of covariance and variance matrices for gene frequencies of 8 Bering Sea populations revealed major aspects of regional genetic structure. Regression of average heterozygosity on genetic distance from centroid permitted us to interpret it in the light of counterbalancing action of systematic and non-systematic pressure. Analysis of R matrix containing gene frequencies for both Eskimo and Chukchi populations revealed two different clusters - more heterogeneous Eskimo cluster and less heterogeneous Chukchi cluster. Good fit was observed between regional genetic structure, history and geography.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1975

Scleral preplaques and plaques in Eskimos. The incidence in West Greenland Eskimos compared with that in Copenhagen Caucasians.

Examination of the eyes of 519 Eskimos in West Greenland revealed preplaques (grey, ill-defined, translucent bands on the sclera anterior to the insertion site of the horizontal recti) in 4% and scleral plaques (well-defined, greyish translucency of the sclera) in 2%. The incidence was found to rise with increasing age. Preplaques are more rarely present in Eskimos than in Copenhagen Caucasians, where the incidence of plaques is the same. The cause of this ethnic difference is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The genetic structure of populations of Chuckotka Peninsula Eskimos and Chuckchi based on study of 13 loci of serum and erythrocyte proteins and enzymes.

The Eskimos and Chuckchi of the Chuckotka Peninsula were studied at 13 loci of serum and erythrocyte proteins and enzymes by electrophoresis. Six loci-including albumin, transferrin, carbonic anhydrase I and II, monoamine oxidase, and superoxide dismutase-were monomorphic in the studied populations. The mean frequencies of alleles in nine polymorphic loci of Chuckotka Eskimos and Chuckchi, Eskimos of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, some Mongoloid populations of Siberia, American Indians, and Lapps of circumpolar areas of Western Europe were obtained. The genetic distances between these populations were calculated. The Eskimos of Chuckotka were closest to the Alaskan Eskimos. The relative heterozygosity of Chuckotka Eskimos was calculated and was the highest in Chuckchi. The average heterozygosity in Eskimo populations increased in the following order, from least to greatest: Chuckotka Eskimos, St. Lawrence Island Eskimos, Alaskan Eskimos, Greenland Eskimos, and Canadian Eskimos. The average heterozygosity of the Chuckchi was similar to that of Western Hemisphere Eskimos.

Alaska↗
PubMed2000

mtDNA variation among Greenland Eskimos: the edge of the Beringian expansion.

The Eskimo-Aleut language phylum is distributed from coastal Siberia across Alaska and Canada to Greenland and is well distinguished from the neighboring Na Dene languages. Genetically, however, the distinction between Na Dene and Eskimo-Aleut speakers is less clear. In order to improve the genetic characterization of Eskimos in general and Greenlanders in particular, we have sequenced hypervariable segment I (HVS-I) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and typed relevant RFLP sites in the mtDNA of 82 Eskimos from Greenland. A comparison of our data with published sequences demonstrates major mtDNA types shared between Na Dene and Eskimo, indicating a common Beringian history within the Holocene. We further confirm the presence of an Eskimo-specific mtDNA subgroup characterized by nucleotide position 16265G within mtDNA group A2. This subgroup is found in all Eskimo groups analyzed so far and is estimated to have originated <3,000 years ago. A founder analysis of all Eskimo and Chukchi A2 types indicates that the Siberian and Greenland ancestral mtDNA pools separated around the time when the Neo-Eskimo culture emerged. The Greenland mtDNA types are a subset of the Alaskan mtDNA variation: they lack the groups D2 and D3 found in Siberia and Alaska and are exclusively A2 but at the same time lack the A2 root type. The data are in agreement with the view that the present Greenland Eskimos essentially descend from Alaskan Neo-Eskimos. European mtDNA types are absent in our Eskimo sample.

Alaska↗
PubMed2003

Age, gender, biometry, refractive error, and the anterior chamber angle among Alaskan Eskimos.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is greater for Eskimos/Inuit than it is for any other ethnic group in the world. Although it has been suggested that this prevalence may be due to a population tendency toward shallower anterior chamber angles, available evidence for other populations such as Chinese with high rates of ACG has not consistently demonstrated such a tendency. METHODS: A reticule, slit-lamp, and standard Goldmann one-mirror goniolens were used to make measurements in the anterior chamber (AC) angle according to a previously reported protocol for biometric gonioscopy (BG) (Ophthalmology 1999;106:2161-7). Measurements were made in all four quadrants of one eye among 133 phakic Alaskan Eskimos aged 40 years and older. Automatic refraction, dilated examination of the anterior segment and optic nerve, and A-scan measurements of AC depth, lens thickness, and axial length were also carried out for all subjects. RESULTS: Both central and peripheral AC measurements for the Eskimo subjects were significantly lower than those previously reported by us for Chinese, blacks, and whites under the identical protocol. Eskimos also seemed to have somewhat more hyperopia. There were no differences in biometric measurements between men and women in this Eskimo population. Angle measurements by BG seemed to decline more rapidly over life among Eskimos and Chinese than blacks or whites. Although there was a significant apparent decrease in AC depth, increase in lens thickness, and increase in hyperopia with age among Eskimos, all of these trends seemed to reverse in the seventh decade and beyond. CONCLUSIONS: Eskimos do seem to have shallower ACs than do other racial groups. Measurements of the AC angle seem to decline more rapidly over life among Eskimos than among blacks or whites, a phenomenon also observed by us among Chinese, another group with high ACG prevalence. This apparent more rapid decline may be due to a cohort effect with higher prevalence of myopia and resulting wider angles among younger Eskimos and Chinese.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Spondylolysis and associated spondylolisthesis in Eskimo and Athabascan populations.

Roentgenographic and anthropologic studies have shown a high incidence of spondylolysis in Eskimo populations. It is uncertain whether this is related to a genetic predisposition or to environmental factors. This study of recent roentgenograms and demographic characteristics of patients of the authors' institution notes a lower incidence in Eskimo populations than prior skeletal and roentgenographic studies. An attempt is made to quantitate the contributions of environmental factors and genetic predisposition. A higher incidence was found in full-blooded Eskimos than in part-blooded Eskimos. Rural-dwelling Eskimos had a higher incidence than urban-dwelling Eskimos. Eskimo subpopulations had a greater incidence than Athabascan Indians. Eskimos with spondylolysis were significantly more likely to have an associated spondylolisthesis than Athabascans with spondylolysis. Symptoms in the Eskimo population related to spondylolysis and associated spondylolisthesis rarely warrant surgical intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The composition of the Eskimo food in north western Greenland.

In the winter of 1976 an examination of the composition of Eskimo food was carried out in north western Greenland. Duplicate specimens of diets collected from 50 adults, equal numbers of males and females, were analyzed for water, ash, protein, fat, individual fatty acids, cholesterol, and carbohydrate. The results are compared with those of typical Danish diets. Seal and the fish are predominant Eskimo food. Marked differences between Eskimo and Danish food were found. The Eskimo diets were richer in polyunsaturated fatty acids, the ratio to saturated fatty acids was 0.84 as compared with 0.24 in Danes. The polyunsaturated fatty acids were predominantly of the linolenic class (n-3) in Eskimos and the linoleic class (n-6) in Danes. Monoenes other than palmitoleic and oleic acids were high in Eskimo diets, but negligible in Danish. The results are related to previous examinations of the plasma lipids in Eskimos. The rarity of ischemic heart disease in Greenland Eskimos may partly be explained by the antithrombotic effect of the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid prevalent in diets rich in marine oils.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The St. Lawrence Island Eskimos: genetic variation and genetic distance.

The Eskimos of St. Lawrence Island have been typed for genetic variation at 44 discrete genetic loci. Three private polymorphisms, at the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase, peptidase B, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase loci, have been observed, which may be useful in future studies of genetic relationships between Eskimos and other circumpolar populations. Genetic distance analysis reveals a close relationship between the St. Lawrence Island Eskimos and other Eskimo populations and that the Eskimo populations form a distinct cluster from Amerindian populations. The St. Lawrence Island Eskimos appear to be more similar to Asiatic Eskimos than to other groups. Caucasian admixture in this population is estimated to be between 2 and 7%.

Alaska↗
PubMed1992

Differences in apolipoprotein (a) polymorphism in west Greenland Eskimos and Caucasian Danes.

Previous studies in Greenland suggest that death rates from ischemic heart disease [IHD] are lower in Eskimos than in Danes and other Caucasian populations. This has been explained by a high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with beneficial effects on blood lipids and hemostasis. In other populations, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with IHD, plasma concentrations of Lp(a) being genetically determined to a major extent. We have compared Lp(a) concentrations and apo(a) phenotypes in 120 Greenlandic Eskimos with those in 466 Danish men. The median Lp(a) concentration in Eskimos (8.7 mg/dl;[95% CI 6.5-10.7]) was not significantly different from that in Danes (6.3 mg/dl; [95% CI 5.2-7.0]), whereas the 90th percentile was significantly higher among Danes: 46.36 mg/dl; [95% CI 43.0-54.3] vs. 27.6 mg/dl [95% CI 20.7-36.9]. In 20% of the Danes, but in only 8% of the Eskimos (P = 0.009), the concentration of Lp(a) exceeded 30 mg/dl. The difference is probably explained by a low frequency of the low molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes among Eskimos, since the apo(a) isoforms F and B were absent, and the S1 and S2 types were present in only 3.3% of Eskimos. In contrast, these apo(a) isoforms were present in 26.6% of the Danes in either single-band or double-band phenotypes. The pattern of apo(a) polymorphism found in this study could provide part of a genetic explanation for the putative low rates of IHD in Eskimo populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

PCR typing of DNA fragments of the two short tandem repeat (STR) systems upstream of the human myelin basic protein (MBP) gene in Danes and Greenland Eskimos.

DNA from the double short tandem repeat (STR) system MBP (locus 18q23-pter) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the two polymorphic repeat systems were separated by cutting with the restriction enzyme NlaIII. The lengths of the DNA fragments of the two MBP STR systems MBP-A and MBP-B were analyzed by vertical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels followed by silver staining. DNA samples from 112 unrelated Danes, 140 unrelated Greenland Eskimos, and 88 Danish mother/child pairs were analyzed. The distributions of MBP phenotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both the Eskimo and Danish populations. Significant differences were observed between the distribution of fragments ('alleles') in Greenland Eskimos and in Danes. The allele MBP-A7 was considerably more frequent in Eskimos (0.2214) than in Danes (0.0775) and also the allele MBP-B9 was considerably more frequent in Eskimos (0.225) than in Danes (0.06). Strong gametic associations were found between fragments from MBP-A and MBP-B series in both Danes and Eskimos. Some of the associations were different in Danes and Eskimos. In the 88 Danish mother/child pairs, the segregation of the MBP genotypes were in accordance with a genetic model of co-dominant inheritance and no mutation was found. Two MBP STR regions with irregular structures were sequenced. One fragment had a single base G to A transition at position 124 in the primer binding region between the MBP-A and MBP-B regions. In the other fragment, a deletion starting at position 117 and including the primer binding region between MBP-A and MBP-B regions was found.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Overweight and obesity among Alaskan Eskimos of the Bering Straits Region: the Alaska Siberia project.

OBJECTIVE: To document the height, weight, BMI and prevalence of obesity for Eskimo residents of four villages of the Bering Straits Region of Alaska. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: 454 Non-pregnant residents over 24 y of age, with at least one Eskimo grandparent participated in one cross sectional survey within each village. MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight, calculation of BMI (kg/m2), proportion of 'overweight' (BMI 25-29.9), and proportion of 'obese' (BMI>/=30). RESULTS: For women and men, respectively, mean heights were 153.4 and 165.2 cm; weights were 64.2 and 71.6 kg; and BMI were 27.2 and 26.2 kg/m2 after age standardization. For women, 27.9% were overweight, and 32.8% were obese compared with 36.2% and 15.6%, respectively, for men. Alaskan Eskimo participants of the Alaska Siberia Project had a significantly lower proportion of total overweight (BMI>/=25, 54.9% for women, and 32.0% for men) compared with the three sites of the Strong Heart Study, which ranged from 65.9 to 80.2% for women and 53.6 to 66.7% for men. Compared with American men of all races, the proportion of overweight and obese participants was similar for Eskimo men. The proportion of obese was significantly higher for Eskimo women compared with American women of all races, but the proportion of overweight was similar. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of obesity among the Alaskan Eskimos is lower than for American Indians, the high proportion of overweight observed in this study is of concern for Alaskan Eskimo adults, especially for women.

Adult↗