title: Lifestyle, reproductive factors and food intake in Greenlandic pregnant women: the ACCEPT - sub-study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the past decades, Greenland has changed from a hunter society to a more western lifestyle, causing less intake of traditional food, such as marine mammals, fish and seabirds. These changes in the living conditions and food habits might impact the maternal health in Greenland.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe lifestyle, reproductive factors and food intake in Greenlandic pregnant women, and to assess possible age and geographical differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of 189 Greenlandic pregnant women. Inclusion criteria were ≥18 years and lived >50% of their life in Greenland. Data were collected in 2010-2011, and information was obtained from lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires. Two age groups for comparison were given for the pregnant women (<27 years vs. ≥27 years) with regard to the median age. Region groups for comparison were West, Disko Bay, South, North and East.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Population characteristics showed that 43.3% had pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) >25.0 kg/m(2), 46.3% were current smokers in the beginning of their pregnancy and few participants consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Women <27 years were more in doubt regarding planned breastfeeding period and consumed more dried fish and fast food. A trend for higher alcohol intake during pregnancy was found for women ≥27 years. The regional differences showed that women living >50% in North, South and West had a higher alcohol intake during pregnancy. Women in North had the fewest breastfeeding plans. Women in Disko Bay had the lowest intake of terrestrial species. No significant geographical differences were found for intake of marine mammals or seabirds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study found relatively high BMI level and high smoking frequency in Greenlandic pregnant women. Age and region differences were found for alcohol consumption, breastfeeding plans and food intake profile. Further research is needed to implement relevant maternal health intervention programs in Greenland.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Arctic Health & Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ane-Kersti Skaarup
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Arctic Health & Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Manhai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Primary Health Care Center, Queen Ingrid Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland.
authors.forename: Henning S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Arctic Health & Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; ebj@ph.au.dk.
authors.forename: Eva Cecilie
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Bonefeld-Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001110:Arctic Regions; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D017584:Reproductive History; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Greenland; diet; food frequency questionnaire; pregnancy; reproductive health