Prevalence of obesity among Inuit in Greenland and temporal trend by social position

Objectives The purpose of the study was to analyze the temporal trend of obesity among Inuit in Greenland during 19932010 according to sex and relative social position. Methods Data (N = 5,123) were collected in cross-sectional health surveys among the Inuit in Greenland in 19931994, 19992001, and 20052010. Sociodemographic information was obtained by interview. Information on obesity (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference) was obtained by clinical examination and in 19931994 by interview. Statistics included multiple linear regression and Univariate General Linear Models. Results Among men the prevalence of overweight (BMI 2529.9) decreased while general obesity (BMI 30) did not change. Central obesity increased from 16.0% in 19931994 to 25.4% in 20052010 (P < 0.001). Among women general and central obesity increased. Central obesity increased from 31.3% in 19931994 to 54.2% in 20052010 (P < 0.001). In 20052010 both general and central obesity showed significantly increasing trends with social position (general obesity: P < 0.001 for men, P = 0.04 for women; central obesity: P < 0.001 for both men and women). The social trend was absent in the earlier surveys. Conclusion General and central obesity is increasing among the Inuit in Greenland. There is an increasing positive association of obesity with social position for both men and women. The high prevalence of obesity is a serious public health problem that is expected to affect the already high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and its complications. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:335340, 2013. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.