Abstract
Background: Canadian Inuit have transited from a physically active hunter-gatherer subsistence lifestyle into sedentary ways of life. The purpose of the current study was to measure physical activity levels among Nunavut Inuit adults, and explore the socio-cognitive and environmental factors influencing the number of steps taken per day. Method: Inuit and non-Inuit adults (N = 272) in Nunavut participated in a seven-day pedometer study during summer and winter seasons. Participants were asked to complete the Neighbourhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) and Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). Data analyses included descriptive statistics, hierarchical linear regression, and tests of mediation effects. Results: Participants had limited to low activity at a rate of 5027 ± 1799 and 4186 ± 1446 steps per day, during summer and winter, respectively. There were no seasonal and age effects on the number of steps. Gender effects and community differences were observed. Perceived infrastructure and safety as well as land use mix diversity were found to be positive environmental correlates of steps taken, which were partially mediated by identified motivational regulation. Conclusion: Physical activity levels among Nunavut adults are generally low, but can be promoted by improving the external physical environment and internal motivational regulation.
Highlights
The high prevalence rates of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers among Nunavut Inuit have been linked to a shift from an extremely physically active nomadic lifestyle to technology-driven sedentary ways of life [1]
Given the geographical location of Nunavut and some unique environmental factors that are not captured by the Neighbourhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) instrument, we developed a three-item “weather conditions” scale to measure the respondents’ perceptions of the weather conditions
There were no significant differences between the overall means of summer and winter steps, further analysis using Tudor Lock’s graduated step index revealed some moderate to significant differences between summer and winter steps at some levels of graduation (Table 3)
Summary
The high prevalence rates of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers among Nunavut Inuit have been linked to a shift from an extremely physically active nomadic lifestyle to technology-driven sedentary ways of life [1]. Modernization and technology-driven approaches such as consumption of store-bought processed foods, motorized transportation and white-collar jobs have largely replaced hunting, fishing, and other traditional subsistence activities of the pre-contact era that involved significant daily energy expenditures [4]. Evidence suggests that these adopted Eurocentric ways of life have significantly eroded the moderate to high levels of physical activity and fitness among. Conclusion: Physical activity levels among Nunavut adults are generally low, but can be promoted by improving the external physical environment and internal motivational regulation
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