Obesity and relative subcutaneous fat distribution among Canadians of First Nation and European ancestry

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare Canadians of Aboriginal (First Nation, FN) and European ancestry (EA), with respect to obesity, subcutaneous fatness and relative subcutaneous fat distribution. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison. SUBJECTS: 118 First Nation and 472 European ancestry Canadians from Northern Ontario, youth (5 ± 19 y) and adults (20 ± 75 y). MEASUREMENTS: Stature, mass and skinfold thicknesses at the triceps, biceps, medial calf, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal sites. ANALYSIS: Prevalence of obesity was determined using the 85 th percentile of body mass index (BMI) from NHANES II as the cut-off. Principal components (PC) analyses were performed on the six skinfolds. The ®rst component (PC1) represented a trunk-extremity skinfold contrast. Differences in mean component scores between FN and EA were assessed using independent samples t-tests. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity among FN was high, ranging from 29% in youth to 60% in adult females. FN demonstrated greater subcutaneous adiposity and greater values for PC1, with the exception of adult males, where the difference is in the expected direction, but is not signi®cant. The direction of the differences indicates that the FN have a greater centralization of subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSIONS: FN Canadians generally have a greater prevalence of obesity, greater subcutaneous fatness and a more centralized distribution of body fat than those of European ancestry.

Anthropometric measures and glucose levels in a large multi-ethnic cohort of individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes

“…However, differences among BMI associations disappeared after adjusting for waist circumference. Previous studies indicate that Africans possess greater lean muscle mass than other groups for the same BMI and that Aboriginal people are susceptible to visceral fat accumulation [30][31][32][33]. Therefore, an increase in BMI could reflect ethnic-specific changes in body composition.…”

Dietary intake and development of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for a lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of chronic diseases in Canadian First Nations in north-western Ontario

“…In a study of dietary intakes of 16 aboriginal communities in the Northwest Territories, Receveur et al (24) found that among Dene and Metis populations there was a shift away from traditional foods to market (14) Macaroni and hamburger helper or ground beef with pasta; Beef burgers; Beef steak; Home-made beef or hamburger stew or soup; Chilli; Roasted, boiled or braised beef; Smoked, roasted or fried moose, caribou or deer (not in soup, stew or stir fry); Boiled, oven-roasted or smoked goose or duck (not in soup, stew or stir fry); Fried chicken, including in sandwich; Chicken nuggets, strips; Grilled, barbecued, roasted or boiled chicken or partridge; Fried, boiled, roasted, braised or broiled pork meat; Bacon; Stir-fry meat with vegetables Fish (5) Canned fish, in oil or tomato sauce; Canned fish, in water; Fried fish (not in soup); Smoked, baked, boiled, broiled or grilled fish (not in soup); Fish, dried Luncheon meats (5) Weiners/hot dogs, breakfast sausages, sausages or smokies; Low-fat hot dogs or sausage; Regular Klik, Prem, Spam, canned ham; Regular lunch meat; Corned beef Rice and pastas (8) Rice with condensed soup, including wild rice casserole; Plain rice (not in soup); Macaroni and cheese or other pasta with cream sauce; Spaghetti, spaghettios with tomato or vegetable sauce; Spaghetti with meat sauce, lasagne; Pizza or pizza pops; Home-made low-fat pizza; Perogies Vegetables (14) French fries or potato wedges; Mashed, scalloped, boiled or baked potatoes; Hash browns, fried potatoes or tater tots; Poutine; Mixed vegetables; Carrots, fresh, canned or frozen; Peas; Green beans; Corn on the cob; Corn, kernels; Potato or macaroni salad, or coleslaw; Salad, garden; Regular salad dressings; Baked beans Fruits (9) Bananas; Apples or pears; Oranges; Melons including watermelon, cantaloupe; Grapes; Plums; Blueberries/ strawberries/raspberries/cherries; Peaches or nectarines, fresh; Fruit cocktail, canned peaches or pineapple Cereals (4) High-sugar cereals; Low-sugar cereals; High-fibre cereals; Porridge/oatmeal Dairy (18) Whole milk in coffee or tea; Whole milk by glass or on cereal; 2 % milk in coffee or tea; 2 % milk by glass or on cereal; 1 % or skimmed milk in coffee or tea; 1 % or skimmed milk by glass or on cereal; Regular evaporated milk in coffee or tea; Regular evaporated milk on cereal; 2 % evaporated milk in coffee or tea; 2 % evaporated milk on cereal; Creamer, half and half, Coffee-mate or other coffee whitener; Low-fat creamer or Coffee-mate; Hard cheese; Milkshake; Yoghurt; Fried, scrambled eggs or omelette; Boiled, poached eggs; Ice cream Sweets (8) Doughnuts, muffins, cup cakes, Danish pastry, cinnamon bun; Cake; Cookies; Low-sugar cookies; Fruit pie, any kind, apple turnover; Popsicles, freezies; Candy, any kind; Chocolate bars or pieces Other foods (13) Chips, any kind; Nuts; Sunflower seeds, with shell; Baked chips; Regular popcorn; Low-fat popcorn; Butter/ margarine; Low-fat spread or margarine; Peanut butter; Artificial sweeteners; Sugar; Gravy; Mayonnaise Beverages (5) Pop/soda, regular; Pop/soda, diet; Fruit cocktail, Tang, Kool-Aid, Five Alive, Sunny Delight, fruit punch, fruit drinks, lemonade, Gatorade, iced tea; 100 % fruit juice; Water Alcohol …”

“…Overweight and obesity are more prevalent among First Nations than in the general Canadian population (2,(7)(8)(9) . Overall cancer incidence has been increasing among some First Nations (10) and First Nations cancer patients have a lower survival period compared with the Canadian population in general (11) .…”

Appropriateness of current thresholds for obesity-related measures among Aboriginal people

“…Previous studies included these individuals and recruited participants either from a single Aboriginal band or residing on a single reserve. 3,4,28,30 Owing to the geographic and cultural distinctness of Aboriginal populations across Canada, we recognize that this Aboriginal cohort may not be representative of all Aboriginal people across Canada. However, our Aboriginal cohort included people with diverse origins.…”