The study of nutrition, anthropometric tеstes and body composition among native and alien population of Russian Arctic

Abstract

Arctic zone refers to the territories that are uncomfortable for living and working of people. Ecological features of the Far North have contributed to the adaptation of the indigenous population to the conditions of the external environment, which manifested in the peculiarities of nutrition and nutritional status, which is also related to the presence of genetic polymorphisms in the population of the Arctic zone. The study of nutrition and the nutritional status of 180 people (78.9% woman и 21.1% man) living in the Far North was conducted. The data obtained indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity (62.7%) among the surveyed people living in the Arctic zone, was higher than among Russian people (average 57.3%). Indigenous people (mean age - 45.6±1.3 years) compared with alien population (45.1±2.6 years old) had lower BMI (27.2±0.5 vs 28.8±1.3 kg/m2) and a smaller hips along with significantly (p<0.05) lower relative fat body mass (31.9±0.9 vs 35.4±1.4 kg), lean (67.1±0.8 vs 64.6±0.9 kg) and bone body mass, as well as exchange at rest (1329.9±16.0 vs 1455.4±44.0 kcal). Indigenous population consumed significantly more bakery products and fish (1.5-2.2 fold), and less - dairy products and vegetables (1.7-2.0 fold). Thus, the peculiarities of the nutritional status of the indigenous and alien populations of the Arctic seem to be associated with the traditions of nutrition and lifestyle.