title: Fatty acid profiles among the Inuit of Nunavik: current status and temporal change.
abstract: The Inuit undergo substantial changes in their lifestyle, but few data exist on how these changes occur in biomarkers, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Here, we report data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2004 among 861 representative Nunavik Inuit adults, in whom FAs were measured in red blood cells (RBCs). FAs were also measured in plasma phospholipids (n=452) to assess temporal trend by comparing plasma PUFAs measured in 1992. Food intakes were estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In 2004, marine food intake was 84±4g/d (±SEM). Adjusted-mean of RBC omega-3 was significantly higher, and omega-6 lower, in older age groups (Ptrend<0.001). In 2004, plasma omega-3 was 25% lower, while omega-6 was 9% higher, compared to 1992. Our study revealed that Nunavik Inuit adults still have high RBC omega-3, but show signs of nutritional transition - as indicated by lower omega-3 and higher trans-fats in RBCs of young compared to older.
authors.affiliation: Axe Santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU (Centre hospitalier universitaire) de Québec, Québec (Québec) Canada.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Proust
authors.affiliation: Axe Santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU (Centre hospitalier universitaire) de Québec, Québec (Québec) Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) Canada.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Axe Santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU (Centre hospitalier universitaire) de Québec, Québec (Québec) Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) Canada. Electronic address: eric.dewailly@crchul.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dewailly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D011792:Quebec
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D010743:Phospholipids
keywords: Fish; Inuit; Marine mammals; Nutritional transition; Omega-3 fatty acids; Polyunsaturated fatty acids