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Obesity and central fat pattern among Greenland Inuit and a general population of Denmark (Inter99): Relationship to metabolic risk factors

International Journal of Obesity volume 27, pages 1507–1515 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the obesity observed among the Inuit of Greenland and in a general Danish population was associated with the same degree of metabolic disturbances.

DESIGN: Comparison of data from two population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1999–2001.

SUBJECTS: A total of 7892 individuals aged 30–60 y, 1108 Inuit participants from the Greenland Population study, and 6784 Danish participants in the Danish Inter99 study.

MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. The participants received a standard 75 g OGTT. s-Triglyceride, s-HDL cholesterol, fasting and 2 h p-glucose and s-insulin were analysed. Blood pressure was measured. Information on lifestyle factors was obtained by a questionnaire and interview.

RESULTS: The Inuit had lower levels of 2-h glucose and insulin, blood pressure, triglyceride, and higher levels of HDL cholesterol than the Danish participants at any given level of obesity. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels within obesity categories were not different in the two populations. Adjustment for physical activity, smoking, school education, and alcohol consumption did not change these findings.

CONCLUSION: The trends in the association between obesity and metabolic effects among the Inuit and a Northern European population were the same, but the levels of the risk factors were significantly different. This may be due to genetic factors and differences in body composition.

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Abbreviations

OGTT:

oral glucose tolerance test

BMI:

body mass index

WHR:

waist-to-hip ratio

HDL cholesterol:

high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

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Acknowledgements

The Greenland population study was funded by the Danish Medical Research Council, The Greenland Medical Research Council, The Commission for Scientific Research in Greenland, and the Karen Elise Jensen's Foundation. The Inter99 study was supported by The Danish Medical Research Council, The Danish Centre for Evaluation and Health Technology Assesment, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen County, The Danish Heart Foundation, The Danish Diabetes Association, The Danish Pharmaceutical Association, Augustinus Foundation, Ib Henriksen Foundation, Becket Foundation, and Glaxo SmithKline.

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Author notes

  1. Steering Group: Vibeke Backer, Ulrik Becker, Peter Bjerregaard, Knut Borch-Johnsen, Torben Jørgensen, Gert Mulvad. Secretariat: National Institute of Public Health, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Steno Diabetes Centre, Gentofte, Denmark

    M E Jørgensen, C Glümer & K Borch-Johnsen

  2. Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Copenhagen County, Glostrup University Hospital, Denmark

    C Glümer & T Jørgensen

  3. National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

    P Bjerregaard

  4. Clinic of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, HS Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark

    F Gyntelberg

Authors
  1. M E Jørgensen
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  5. T Jørgensen
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  6. K Borch-Johnsen
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the Greenland Population Study

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Correspondence to M E Jørgensen.

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Jørgensen, M., Glümer, C., Bjerregaard, P. et al. Obesity and central fat pattern among Greenland Inuit and a general population of Denmark (Inter99): Relationship to metabolic risk factors. Int J Obes 27, 1507–1515 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802434

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