Abstract
BackgroundArctic populations are at an increased risk of vitamin D inadequacy due to geographic latitude and a nutrition transition. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of dietary vitamin D and calcium among women of child-bearing age in Arctic Canada.MethodsThis study collected data from 203 randomly selected women of child-bearing age (19-44 years) in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories of Arctic Canada. Cross-sectional surveys using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire were analysed to determine the dietary adequacy of vitamin D and calcium and summarize the top foods contributing to vitamin D and calcium intake among traditional food eaters (TFE) and non-traditional food eaters (NTFE).ResultsThe response rate was between 69-93% depending on the community sampled. Mean BMIs for both TFE and NTFE were above the normal range. Traditional food eaters had a significantly higher median vitamin D intake compared with non-traditional eaters (TFE = 5.13±5.34 µg/day; NTFE = 3.5±3.22 µg/day, p = 0·004). The majority of women (87%) were below the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) for vitamin D. Despite adequate median daily calcium intake in both TFE (1299±798 mg/day) and NTFE (992±704 mg/day; p = 0.0005), 27% of the study population fell below the EAR for calcium. Dairy products contributed the most to intake of vitamin D (TFE = 30.7%; NTFE = 39.1%) and calcium (TFE = 25.5%; NTFE = 34.5%).ConclusionsInadequate dietary vitamin D intake is evident among Inuit and Inuvialuit women of child-bearing age in Arctic Canada. Promotion of nutrient-rich sources of traditional foods, supplementation protocols and/or expanded food fortification should be considered to address this nutrition concern.
Highlights
Vitamin D and calcium insufficiency are increasingly recognized throughout the world, and those with limited solar ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, dark skin pigmentation, the obese, elderly, pregnant women and breastfed infants are at high risk of vitamin D inadequacy [1,2,3]
The main source of vitamin D synthesized in the body is from ultraviolet B exposure; this is affected by factors such as time and duration of exposure, latitude, air pollution, extensive body coverage, sunscreen use and skin pigmentation [1]
This study aimed to examine pooled data from culturally-appropriate quantitative food frequency questionnaires (QFFQs) collected twice over a period of approximately two years to determine dietary adequacy and the main food sources of vitamin D and calcium among Inuit and Inuvialuit women of child-bearing age
Summary
Vitamin D and calcium insufficiency are increasingly recognized throughout the world, and those with limited solar ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, dark skin pigmentation, the obese, elderly, pregnant women and breastfed infants are at high risk of vitamin D inadequacy [1,2,3]. There is growing concern that poor preand postnatal vitamin D and calcium status among women greatly increases an infant’s susceptibility to these diseases [9;10]. Residents of Arctic nations have limited sun exposure and synthesis of vitamin D [1], those individuals may need dietary and supplemental sources of vitamin D for adequate nutrition [3;11;12]. Arctic populations are at an increased risk of vitamin D inadequacy due to geographic latitude and a nutrition transition.
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