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Abstract
Background
The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related conditions varies by population groups. Indigenous women of the circumpolar north are believed to be at high risk of obesity.
Objective
We studied, first the obesity prevalence in indigenous Arctic women, Nenets, compared to urban Russian women. Second, the association between obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in the combined group of Nenets and Russian women. Third, ethnic differences in the association between obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Design
Cross-sectional study performed in 2008–2009. Subjects: 93 Nenets women, aged 19–77 (the indigenous village, the Nenets Autonomous Area) and 132 Russian women, aged 21–72 (Arkhangelsk city). Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI)≥30 kg/m2, waist circumference (WC)≥88 cm and or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)≥0.85%. We assessed associations between obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors by linear and logistic regression models that included covariates of ethnicity, age, smoking and physical activity. We also tested for interaction between obesity measurements and ethnicity.
Results
Prevalence of obesity estimated through BMI, WC and WHR were 42.5, 45.3 and 41.9% in Nenets and 34.4, 46.4 and 29.5% in Russians, respectively, with no differences found. BMI, WC and WHR associated positively with triglycerides, fasting insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance index. In addition, BMI and WC correlated negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and positively with systolic blood pressure and apolipoprotein B/apoliporotein A–I ratio. WC explained significant variation in fasting glucose (FG) level. BMI predicted type 2 diabetes history. FG level associated strongly with ethnicity and was found to be higher in Russians.
Conclusions
We found no differences in prevalence of obesity between Nenets and Russian females. Obesity was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors independently of ethnicity in the sample studied. There was no link between obesity measurements and ethnicity.
Authors' contributions
N.P. designed the study, collected the data, performed statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript. L.D. coordinated the project, participated in the design of the study and collection of data. M.B. participated in the design of the study, advised on statistical analysis, contributed to the draft and critical revision of the paper. F.B. contributed to the data collection, laboratory measurements and provided advice on methodology. G.L. participated in collection of data, laboratory measurements and physical examination of the study participants. M.C. planned the study and contributed to the draft and critical revision of the paper. J.Ø.O. supervised the project, participated in the design of the study, contributed to the draft and critical revision of the manuscript. All authors were involved in the discussion of the data, read and approved the final text. J.Ø.O. has given final approval of the version to be published.
Acknowledgements
The present study was financially supported by the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Nofima), NO-9291 Tromsø, Norway, and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). We thank our Russian colleagues who contributed to this research project. We are grateful to Marita Melhus (Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, Centre for Sami Health Research, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway) and Henrik Schirmer (Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway) for advice regarding the statistical analysis. We also thank local medical staff in NAO and all the respondents who participated in the study.
Conflict of interest and funding
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.