Investigating the effects of arctic dietary intake on lung health

TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating the effects of arctic dietary intake on lung health

AU - Baines, K J

AU - Backer, V

AU - Gibson, P G

AU - Powell, H

AU - Porsbjerg, C M

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - Background/Objective:Preservation of lung health requires understanding the modifiable risk factors of airflow limitation. This study investigates the association between diet and lung function in a population of Greenland Inuit residing in the Arctic (Greenland) or Western Europe (Denmark).Subjects/Methods:Two unselected Inuit populations were recruited, one living in Greenland (Urban (Nuuk) n=358; Rural (Uummannaq) n=207) and the other in Denmark (n=539). Lung function was measured using spirometry and diet by a food frequency questionnaire. Factors associated with airflow limitation were assessed using multiple linear regression models.Results:The dietary composition differed significantly in the two regions, with higher whale, seal and wild meat intake and lower fruit and vegetable intake in the Arctic regions compared with Denmark. Consumption of vegetables (P=0.004) and whale and/or seal (P<0.0001) was significantly and positively associated with FEV 1, as well as with FVC (vegetables: P=0.001, whale and/or seal: P=0.002). Regular fruit intake was included in the statistical models; however, it did not reach statistical significance (FEV 1: P=0.053; FVC: P=0.055).Conclusions:High dietary intake of vegetables as well as intake of arctic marine mammals had independent positive associations with lung function in this cohort of Greenlandic Inuit. These findings suggest an additive role of dietary intake of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids in lung health, which warrants prospective evaluation.

AB - Background/Objective:Preservation of lung health requires understanding the modifiable risk factors of airflow limitation. This study investigates the association between diet and lung function in a population of Greenland Inuit residing in the Arctic (Greenland) or Western Europe (Denmark).Subjects/Methods:Two unselected Inuit populations were recruited, one living in Greenland (Urban (Nuuk) n=358; Rural (Uummannaq) n=207) and the other in Denmark (n=539). Lung function was measured using spirometry and diet by a food frequency questionnaire. Factors associated with airflow limitation were assessed using multiple linear regression models.Results:The dietary composition differed significantly in the two regions, with higher whale, seal and wild meat intake and lower fruit and vegetable intake in the Arctic regions compared with Denmark. Consumption of vegetables (P=0.004) and whale and/or seal (P<0.0001) was significantly and positively associated with FEV 1, as well as with FVC (vegetables: P=0.001, whale and/or seal: P=0.002). Regular fruit intake was included in the statistical models; however, it did not reach statistical significance (FEV 1: P=0.053; FVC: P=0.055).Conclusions:High dietary intake of vegetables as well as intake of arctic marine mammals had independent positive associations with lung function in this cohort of Greenlandic Inuit. These findings suggest an additive role of dietary intake of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids in lung health, which warrants prospective evaluation.

U2 - 10.1038/ejcn.2015.85

DO - 10.1038/ejcn.2015.85

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26014265

SN - 0954-3007

VL - 69

SP - 1262

EP - 1266

JO - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

JF - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

IS - 11

ER -