Disaccharide malabsorption and dietary patterns in two Canadian Eskimo communities

Abstract

The ability of Eskimos to tolerate lactose and sucrose has not been adequately investigated. In view of the lack of this information on Canadian Eskimos, their gradual abandonment of traditional diets, and the growing popularity of school nutrition programs in the Canadian Arctic, residents of two Canadian Inuit settlements were screened for disaccharide malabsorption. Forty-three (73%) of 59 Inuit, 2.5 to 57 years old, were unable to absorb a lactose load of 2 g/kg, maximum 50 g. All but three of the malabsorbers had clinical symptoms of lactose intolerance. Eight of the 43 malabsorbers claimed to be milk intolerant. It appeared that lactase activity declined between ages 4 and 8 in this population. Four of 56 (7%) were unable to absorb the sucrose test load. More than half of the subjects reported daily consumption of soft drinks and candy. Most foods consumed were still indigenous meat or fish and cereal products. Vegetables and fruit were generally not eaten, and very little milk was consumed other than that used as whitener with coffee or tea and that received at the elementary school. Since sources of calcium and vitamin D are limited, school milk programs may be prudent. However, lactose-hydrolyzed milk should be available to school children who are milk intolerant. Nutrition education should also be an integral part of school feeding programs, particularly for a population in cultural transition.