Prevalence of obesity and its metabolic correlates among the circumpolar inuit in 3 countries

Objectives. We investigated the prevalence of obesity and the metabolic correlates of different levels of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference among the Inuit in 3 countries. Methods. Data from 4 surveys of Inuit in Canada, Greenland, and Alaska conducted during 1990-2001 were pooled, with a total sample size of 2545 participants. These data were compared with data from a Canadian population of predominantly European origin. Results. Using the World Health Organization criteria for overweight and obesity, we found that the crude prevalence of overweight among Inuit men and women was 36.6% and 32.5%, respectively, and obesity was 15.8% and 25.5%, respectively. Inuit prevalences were similar to those of the highly developed countries of Europe and North America. As levels of obesity increased, as measured by BMI or waist circumference, the mean values of various metabolic indicators - lipid, glucose, and insulin levels and blood pressure - also increased. However, at each level of BMI or waist circumference, the Inuit had lower blood pressure and lipid levels than did Euro-Canadians. Conclusions. Our data indicate that universal criteria for obesity may not reflect the same degree of metabolic risk for populations such as the Inuit and suggest that ethnic-specific criteria are needed.