[Traditional nutrition and demography in the Arctic zone of Western Siberia].

High requirements for macro- and micronutrients of the organism of a pregnant woman living in the Far North are associated with the influence of extreme factors of high latitudes, and the needs of the mother and the growing fetus. Only the products of the unique food culture of the Arctic people - the Nenets, make it possible to meet the emerging needs. The aim of the work was to study the impact of traditional nutrition on the reproductive health of Nenets women living in the Arctic zone of Western Siberia. Material and methods. 619 indigenous inhabitants (Nenets) of the Yamal, Nadym and Taz districts of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug at the age of 18-65 years were examined. The influence of the type of nutrition (traditional or imported products) on reproductive health indicators (the number of pregnancies, the number of children, the number of spontaneous abortions, frequency of gestosis, threats of termination of pregnancy, operative deliveries) for the period 2013-2018 was studied by analyzing official statistics and by questioning of the female population in own research. Results. The consumption of traditional products (venison, local fishery products, at least 3 times a week) by Nenets women was more often accompanied by a normal physiological course of pregnancy and childbirth (75.2 versus 64.2%, χ2=8.7; p=0.003). It led to a 1.5-fold decrease in the frequency of complications during pregnancy (gestosis, the threat of abortion) (χ2=5.8; p=0.01) and a 20% decrease in the frequency of delivery by cesarean section (χ2=16.6; p<0.001). As a result, a family whose diet was dominated by traditional products had a statistically significantly larger number of children (per child). Conclusion. The preservation of the consumption of reindeer and river fishery products by indigenous women will contribute to the sufficient intake of macro- and micronutrients, that will make it possible to gestate and give birth to a healthier generation of the Nenets society.

Comparison of Helminth Infection among the Native Populations of the Arctic and Subarctic Areas in Western Siberia Throughout History: Parasitological Researches on Contemporary and the Archaeological Resources.

The aim of this parasitological study is examining contemporary (the late 20th century) specimens of the arctic or subarctic areas in Western Siberia and comparing them with the information acquired from archaeological samples from the same area. In the contemporary specimens, we observed the parasite eggs of 3 different species: Opisthochis felineus, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Enterobius vermicularis. Meanwhile, in archaeoparasitological results of Vesakoyakha, Kikki-Akki, and Nyamboyto I burial grounds, the eggs of Diphyllobothrium and Taenia spp. were found while no nematode (soil-transmitted) eggs were observed in the same samples. In this study, we concluded helminth infection pattern among the arctic and subarctic peoples of Western Siberia throughout history as follows: the raw fish-eating tradition did not undergo radical change in the area at least since the 18th century; and A. lumbricoides or E. vermicularis did not infect the inhabitants of this area before 20th century. With respect to the Western Siberia, we caught glimpse of the parasite infection pattern prevalent therein via investigations on contemporary and archaeoparasitological specimens.

Sharing-based social capital associated with harvest production and wealth in the Canadian Arctic.

Social institutions that facilitate sharing and redistribution may help mitigate the impact of resource shocks. In the North American Arctic, traditional food sharing may direct food to those who need it and provide a form of natural insurance against temporal variability in hunting returns within households. Here, network properties that facilitate resource flow (network size, quality, and density) are examined in a country food sharing network comprising 109 Inuit households from a village in Nunavik (Canada), using regressions to investigate the relationships between these network measures and household socioeconomic attributes. The results show that although single women and elders have larger networks, the sharing network is not structured to prioritize sharing towards households with low food availability. Rather, much food sharing appears to be driven by reciprocity between high-harvest households, meaning that poor, low-harvest households tend to have less sharing-based social capital than more affluent, high-harvest households. This suggests that poor, low-harvest households may be more vulnerable to disruptions in the availability of country food.

Strength-based well-being indicators for Indigenous children and families: A literature review of Indigenous communities' identified well-being indicators.

Mainstream child and family well-being indicators frequently are based on measuring health, economic, and social deficits, and do not reflect Indigenous holistic and strength-based definitions of health and well-being. The present article is a review of literature that features Indigenous communities' self-identified strength-based indicators of child and family well-being. The literature search included Indigenous communities from across the world, incorporating findings from American Indians and Alaska Natives, First Nations, Native Hawaiians, Maori, Aboriginal Australians, and Sámi communities. Sorting the identified indicators into the quadrants of the Relational Worldview, an Indigenous framework for well-being based on medicine wheel teachings that views health and well-being as a balance among physical, mental, contextual, and spiritual factors, the authors discuss the findings.

Variations in suicide method and in suicide occurrence by season and day of the week in Russia and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Northwestern Russia: a retrospective population-based mortality study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is an important world health issue, especially in territories inhabited by indigenous people. This investigated differences in suicide rates, suicide methods, and suicide occurrence by month and day of the week among the indigenous and non-indigenous populations of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) and to compare the findings from the NAO with national Russian statistics. METHODS: In this retrospective population-based mortality study we investigated all suicides that occurred in the NAO in 2002-2012 (N = 252). Suicide method and the month and day of the week suicide occurred was taken from autopsy reports and disaggregated by ethnic group (indigenous and non-indigenous) and sex. Data from the NAO were then compared with national data from the Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat). RESULTS: Hanging was the most common suicide method in the NAO in both indigenous and non-indigenous populations. The proportion of suicides by hanging among males was lower in the NAO than in national data (69.3 vs 86.2 %), but the inverse was true for females (86.5 vs 74.9 %). Suicide by firearm and by cutting was significantly higher among the indigenous population in the NAO when compared with national data. Peaks in suicide occurrence were observed in May and September in the NAO, whereas national data showed only one peak in May. Suicide occurrence in the indigenous population of the NAO was highest in April, while the non-indigenous population showed peaks in May and September. Suicide occurrence in the NAO was highest on Fridays; in national data this occurrence was highest on Mondays. CONCLUSIONS: We showed different relative frequencies of suicide by hanging, cutting, and firearm, as well as different suicide occurrence by month and day of the week in the NAO compared with Russia as a whole. These results can be used to plan suicide prevention activities in the Russian Arctic.

Household crowding and food insecurity among Inuit families with school-aged children in the Canadian Arctic.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the relation of household crowding to food insecurity among Inuit families with school-aged children in Arctic Quebec. METHODS: We analyzed data collected between October 2005 and February 2010 from 292 primary caregiver-child dyads from 14 Inuit communities. We collected information about household conditions, food security, and family socioeconomic characteristics by interviews. We used logistic regression models to examine the association between household crowding and food insecurity. RESULTS: Nearly 62% of Inuit families in the Canadian Arctic resided in more crowded households, placing them at risk for food insecurity. About 27% of the families reported reducing the size of their children's meals because of lack of money. The likelihood of reducing the size of children's meals was greater in crowded households (odds ratio=3.73; 95% confidence interval=1.96, 7.12). After we adjusted for different socioeconomic characteristics, results remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions operating across different levels (community, regional, national) are needed to ensure food security in the region. Targeting families living in crowded conditions as part of social and public health policies aiming to reduce food insecurity in the Arctic could be beneficial.

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIPID-METABOLIC INDICATORS AT THE YAKUTSK.

AIM: To estimate interrelations of gastroesophageal reflux disease with lipid-metabolic indicators at the Yakutsk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A one-stage investigation of 100 patients of the Yakut nationality with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is carried out. For estimating the association of GERD clinical symptoms with lipid-metabolic indicators a method of binary logistical regress with compulsory inclusion of predictors has been used. RESULTS: According to results of the comparison most statistically significant distinctions of metabolic indicators are revealed at GERD esophageal (eructation) and extra-esophageal symptoms (night cough), dyspepsia (distention, epigastric heaviness), as well as snoring. Logistical regression analysis has confirmed interrelation of clinical symptoms with lipid-metabolic indicators, as waist circumference, a level of arterial pressure and blood lipid (triglycerides, lipoprotein cholesterol of low and high density). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the estimation of interrelation of GERD clinical symptoms with MS criteria at the Yakutsk has revealed the influence of MS components, especially abdominal adiposity, arterial hypertension and triglycerides on the development of dyspepsic symptoms (distention, epigastric heaviness), GERD esophageal (eructation) and extra-esophageal manifestations (night cough).

FEATURES OF CLINICAL-FUNCTIONAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE IN COMBINATION WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME IN ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE YAKUTS AND THE RUSSIANS.

AIM: Studying features of clinical-functional manifestations of chronic obstructive lung disease in the combination with metabolic syndrome in the Yakut ethnic group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The basic group consisted of 39 patients of Yakut nationality with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) in the combination with metabolic syndrome (MS), middle age of them being 53.4 ± 1.17 years. The comparison group comprised 40 patients of Russian nationality with COLD and MS with middle age 53.1 ± 1.21 years. Features of clinical manifestations and respiratory functions are studied. RESULTS: Cough and sputum were noted in dynamics for 3 years by 64.1% of Yakut patients and 85% of the Russians, p = 0.033; the intensity of cough was marked at 30% of patients of Russian nationality and 15.4% of patients of the Yakut nationality, p = 0.01 6. The morning sputum and daily sputum within 3 months a year at the Russians in comparison with the Yakuts was marked in 95 % vs 74,4 %, p = 0.011; 80.0% vs 56.4% p = 0.024, accordingly. According to Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale (Mahler et al., 1985) dyspnea has been 2.2 ± 0.09 points atthe Yakuts vs 2.7 ± 0.09 points at Russian, p = 0.002. At patients of the Yakut nationality more often exacerbations were registered 2 times a year (53.8%), at patients of Russian nationality noted 3 times a year (55%). Respiratory function manifestations have been at patients of the Yakut nationality with COLD and MS, in comparison with similar Russian patients: forced expiratory volume for a first second (FEV,) - 64,0+2,30 % vs 56,8?2,69 %, p = 0,026; forced vital capacity of lungs (FVC) - 65,0?2,45 vs 65,0?3,70, p = 0.733; FEV1/FVCL ratio being 102.5 ± 2.81 vs 87.3 ± 3.30, p = 0.000, accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of ethnicity the phenotype "D" has higher prevalence rate of clinical phenotype COLD in the combination with metabolic syndrome, thus at the Russians the clinical COLD is characterized by severe clinical manifestations in comparison with theYakuts, and also in both ethnic groups expiratory dysfunctions in the form of decreasing FEV1, decreasing FVC and increases of ratio FEV1/FVC > 70% are marked.

THE ROLE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS IN THE MECHANISM OF LIVER CANCER FORMATION AMONG THE FAR NORTH INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS.

INTRODUCTION: Yakutia is a region of high prevalence of viral hepatitis B, C and D. The rating and ranking of risk factors for the formation of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) B, C and D in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (R S(Y)), it is a serious medical problem. AIM: Studying of the main reasons for the progression of chronic viral hepatitis B, C and D to cirrhosis and liver cancer in the Far North. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Materials of official statistics of theTerritorial Rospotrebnadzor and official registration of the Ministry of Health of RS (Y); serological and molecular biological research methods to the studying of HCV genotype B, C, D. RESULTS: On the basis of long-term morbidity of chronic viral hepatitis B, C and D and their outcomes in Yakutia defined a role in the progression to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer, ethnicity and genotype of HBV and HDV. Established fact of viral replication in cirrhosis and primary liver cancer under adverse social and environmental factors, genetically determined increased concentration of acetaldehyde due to impaired activity of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) and aldegiddegirogenases (AIDG) at the indigenous inhabitants of the republic proves the need for targeted therapy of complex events. CONCLUSIONS: The regions of Yakutia are the most affected by the virus of hepatitis B, C and D with progressive course of the disease to cirrhosis and cirrhosis liver cancer, defined by genotype hepatitis B & D, in which significantly usually occurs primary liver cancer, also noted that the combined mixed-replicating virus hepatitis is a risk factor for primary liver cancer.

CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHRONIC GASTRITIS WITH FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic gastritis with syndrome, functional dyspepsia (SFD) is one of the most pressing problems in medicine. Certain scientific and practical interest is the elucidation of the frequency and clinical manifestations of functional dyspepsia in patients hospitalized in the gastroenterology department YAGKB and frequency combinations of chronic gastritis (including H. pylori) with functional dyspepsia. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical and morphological features of the chronic gastritis with syndrome pattern of functional dyspepsia in native-born and people of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and to assess the effectiveness of treatment, depending on the gastric acid and H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined 105 patients with functional dyspepsia, including 41 patients with epigastric pain syndrome and 64 patients with postprandial distress syndrome. Considered groups of patients were homogeneous for age, gender, by ethnicity. Of the 105 patients included in the study, I group were 57 indigenous people (80% of them--Yakutia), 11 group--48 people visiting (Caucasians). RESULTS: Clinical presentation and course of chronic gastritis with functional dyspepsia in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) have a number of distinctive features: epigastric pain syndrome occurs in 26.8% of patients and 73.2% of the indigenous population of the visitor, the intensity of pain in the root is much lower than that of visitors--12 and 85% respectively. Postprandial distress syndrome was diagnosed in 71.9% of patients and 28.1% of the indigenous newcomers. At endoscopy in all patients with functional dyspepsia diagnosed chronic gastritis. The native inhabitants of the most common mixed gastritis (54.5%), the newcomers--superficial gastritis (66.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The found features of a current of functional dyspepsia can be further the basis for the individualized and differentiated approaches to treatment of this disease.

BREADTH SPREADING OF VIRAL HEPATITIS MARKERS IN THE RISK GROUPS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA).

INTRODUCTION: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is a hyperendemic region of Russian Federation for spreading of parenteral viral hepatitis B, C and D. In risk groups of these diseases are firstly medical personnel, who contacting with infection carriers including latent infections family and members of families of chronic viral hepatitis carriers. AIM: To reveal the breadth of spreading of viral hepatitis markers in the risk groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The level of HBV- and HC- infection were determined in medical staff of large multi specialty hospital and family members of people with viral hepatitis B and C. Epidemiological, clinical, serological and molecular biology methods of viral hepatitis diagnostics were applied in this study. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that the staff at surgery and hematology departments and all nursing staff belong to the high-risk of HBV-infection groups. Therefore, they are a priority for active immunization. Attention is paid on the fact that infectivity of medical staff is not equally distributed in dependence on type of department and position of medical staff. Rate HBV-marker detecting in "family hearths" was dependent on degree of interrelationship with infection source. According received information, in families of patientwith chronic hepatitis B spreading of infection was higher (77.6%) then in families of patients with acute hepatitis B (39.7%). At primary examination of families an anti-HCV was detected in 9.3 ± 1.8% cases, i.e. the spreading of HCV was at low-activity. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study on spreading of hepatitis B and C in Yakutia showed the high rate of appearance of HCV and HBV markers in the risk groups.

THE ANALYSIS OF MAJOR RISK FACTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AMONG INHABITANTS OF THE NORTH REGION.

Last years the problem of organism's adaptation to severe climate-environmental conditions of the Far North has been intensively developed. The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the most northern republic of the Russian Federation. People have created a unique way of life, language, original culture on this cold part of the earth and have carried centuries later. This unique experience has been saved up throughout many centuries and generated in natural environment of habitation and passed from generation to generation. Last years the changes of living conditions of indigenous population, urbanization and globalisation, deterioration of ecological conditions exhausted reserve possibilities of organism. Among the indigenous population health change has menacing character, especially among the children's population. The analysis of major risk factors of the development of cardiovascular diseases among the indigenous population of the north has been carried out in this research.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CHRONIC VIRUS HEPATITIS B AND C IN THE REPUBLIC SAKHA (YAKUTIA).

High disease burden of chronic virus hepatitis B and C of population in the Republic Sakha (Yakutia) is subject to referring it to endemic territories due to these infections. For a 15-year-old period the disease has been registered at higher rates in the Russian Federation.

REGIONAL TRENDS IN THE WORKING-AGE POPULATION MORTALITY RATE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA) IN 1990-2012.

Regions of the Russian Federation differ in climatic-geographic, medical-demographic and social-economic situations. One of the regions with distinct peculiarities is the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Ranking first by the territory (3,103.2 thousand sq x km), Yakutia is on the 81th place by the population density among regions of the Russian Federation (0.3 people per 1 km2).Yakutia is one of the most isolated and inaccessible regions of the world: 90% of the territory lacks all-the-year-round transportation. Regions of the republic, as well, differ significantly in the climatic conditions and the levels of social-economic development, which influences the population health indicators, including mortality. This survey aimed to study the trends of mortality in the working-age population in different groups of regions. To do this, basing on the statistical data, we compared the levels, trends and structure of mortality in 1990-2012. It was established that the different groups of regions show a significant variation in the working-age population mortality, depending on the social-economic conditions. Since 2000, the Arctic group of regions has demonstrated higher mortality in working-age men and women, especially of cardiovascular and digestive system diseases, and external causes. Lying beyond the Arctic Circle, these regions have severe conditions and a relatively low level of social-economic development. As for the rural regions, despite the relatively favourabe situation, they also show a high level of mortality of external causes. The industrial regions are characterized by higher social-economic development, better transport infrastructure, a satisfactory material base of medical institutions. They also have sufficient resources of health institutions, including the staff and modern equipment for treatment and diagnostics, as well as, which is critical, the full range of medical specialists. Thus, these regions demonstrate lower population mortality; however, there is still mortality of infectious diseases, neoplasms, and respiratory diseases.

THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN YAKUTIA.

UNLABELLED: Chronic hepatitis in children represents a serious health and social problem. Under the conditions of the high prevalence of viral hepatitis in Yakutia epidemiological process has a number of peculiarities. In children chronic hepatitis often occurs with minor clinical manifestations, which complicate diagnosis. The study of the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data is an important task.The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of chronic hepatitis in children and adolescents living in hyper-endemic region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1568 patients'data, registered in the dispensary with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis in the period from 2000 to 2012. Epidemiological history data of 304 patients with chronic hepatitis were analyzed. The data from official statistics were used for epidemiological analysis. Processing of clinical and laboratory studies was performed using the statistical package IBM SPSS STATISTICS 19. RESULT: CH epidemiological features were identified, including the prevalence of HBV-infection in etiological structure, the high incidence of the disease among the indigenous population, a high risk of intra-familial infection with hepatitis B virus , high frequency of perinatal infection with hepatitis C virus. It was proposed to maximize screening tests for markers of viral hepatitis and to improve quality control of vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic process of viral hepatitis in children and adolescents in Yakutia is characterized by domination of HBV-infection in the structure of chronic hepatitis. The predominance of the indigenous nationalities among patients with chronic hepatitis B and the leading role of family contact in the routes structure of infection transmission indicates the importance of ethnic and social factors in contraction of the disease.

DESCRIPTION OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS, LIVING IN THE NORTH.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTIOD: Over the past 15 years, the relative frequency of detection of erosive form of GERD has increased from 3,1 to 16%. Manifestations of GERD in different ethnic populations of Yakutia are not well understood. AIM: Studying kliniko-endoscopic and the morfofunktsionalnykh of features of GERD in various ethnic groups living in conditions of Yakutia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 168 patients with GERD of different ethnic origins. Yakuts, Evens and Evenks, were considered as indigenous people and newcomers were all persons of other nationalities, who arrived at different times from other regions of Russia. The average age was 41.75 ± 24.73 years. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations of GERD in different ethnic groups living in Yakutia. Leukoplakia of the esophagus was detected in the indigenous population are four times more likely than newcomers. With GERD associated with thyroid disorders prevalent low level of contamination of Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with GERD in Yakutia was higher among immigrants than among the indigenous, with a high degree of contamination of Helicobacter pylori was detected more frequently in immigrants than among the indigenous. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux during the daily pH-metry of the esophagus was detected more frequently in patients visiting than among the indigenous. CONCLUSIONS: The found features of a current of GERD can be further the basis for the individualized and differentiated approaches to treatment of this disease.

CONTRIBUTION OF CEREBRAL VASCULAR ANOMALIES IN HEMORRHAGIC STROKE STRUCTURE IN DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS OF YAKUTIA.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) has higher incidence in Asian population compared to Caucasian. The reason for this phenomenon is not clearly understood. AIM: To investigate the contribution of cerebral vascular anomalies in hemorrhagic stroke structurein different racial groups of Yakutia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included 1078 consecutively hospitalized patients with acute HS. A comparative analysis of demographic data and frequency of CVA, which were identified as a cause of HS, was carried out between the group of indigenous patients of Asian race and the group of Caucasian patients. RESULTS: The proportion of hemorrhage due to rupture of cerebralarterial aneurysms (CAA) in the hospital HS structure was higher in Asians, compared to Caucasians (p = 0.001; OR = 1.7; 95% CL: 1.2-2.4). No difference in the arteriovenous malformations' (AVM) frequency was found between groups (p = 0.345), as well as in age and gender distribution (p = 0.052 and p = 0.759, respectively). The CAA frequency was higher among female patients compared to male in both racial groups (p < 0.0001; OR = 1.71; CI 95% 1.3-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: In Yakutia, the proportion of hemorrhage due to rupture of cerebral arterial aneurysmsin hemorrhagic stroke structure is higher among indigenous ethnic group of Asian race, compared to Caucasians. No difference in the arteriovenous malformations' frequency was found between racial groups, as well as in age and gender distribution. The cerebral aneurisms' frequency was higher among female patients compared to male in both racial groups. Further studies of cerebral vascular anomalies and stroke risk factors using a population-based data in different racial groups are needed.

[Metabolic risk factors in patients 60 years and older with arterial hypertension, living in extreme conditions of the Far North].

To evaluate the criteria of metabolic syndrome (MS) in elderly, 505 men aged 60-99 years, with hypertension, indigenous and non-indigenous ethnic group living in the extreme conditions of the Far North were studied. The analysis of anthropometric parameters revealed that height, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, the ratio of waist to hip size, waist to growth were significantly lower in the elderly and senile Yakuts compared with those of non-indigenous ethnicity (p<0,001). Ethnic differences were found in SBP and DBP levels (p<0,001). The obtained results suggest that in elderly, old age patients and centenarians living in the Far North, almost all analyzed parameters of the metabolic syndrome were significantly correlated with abdominal obesity (p<0,001).

Improving vitamin A and D intake among Inuit and Inuvialuit in Arctic Canada: evidence from the Healthy Foods North study.

BACKGROUND: People in Arctic Canada are undergoing a nutritional transition and increased prevalence of chronic disease. The Healthy Foods North diet and physical activity intervention was developed in 2007-2008 while working with populations in six communities in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, Canada. METHODS: Four communities received the 1-year intervention (eg, conducting workshops, cooking classes and walking clubs) and two communities served as controls. Among the 263 adult evaluation participants, food frequency questionnaires were used to assess dietary intake at baseline and postintervention. Changes in mean nutrient intakes, nutrient density and dietary adequacy from baseline to postintervention were determined. The intervention impact on nutrient intakes was assessed through multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Post-intervention assessment showed a reductions in total fat, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and increases in iron intake, only in the intervention group. More than a 4%-increase in the percentage of adherence to vitamins A and D recommendations was observed in the intervention group. After adjusting the regression models, respondents in the intervention communities significantly reduced their energy intake and increased their vitamins A and D intake. CONCLUSIONS: The Healthy Foods North is an effective programme to improve dietary quality among populations of the Canadian Arctic. Long-term interventions are expected to be important factors in the prevention of diet-related chronic diseases in these communities.

Arctic indigenous youth resilience and vulnerability: comparative analysis of adolescent experiences across five circumpolar communities.

Arctic peoples today find themselves on the front line of rapid environmental change brought about by globalizing forces, shifting climates, and destabilizing physical conditions. The weather is not the only thing undergoing rapid change here. Social climates are intrinsically connected to physical climates, and changes within each have profound effects on the daily life, health, and well-being of circumpolar indigenous peoples. This paper describes a collaborative effort between university researchers and community members from five indigenous communities in the circumpolar north aimed at comparing the experiences of indigenous Arctic youth in order to come up with a shared model of indigenous youth resilience. The discussion introduces a sliding scale model that emerged from the comparative data analysis. It illustrates how a "sliding scale" of resilience captures the inherent dynamism of youth strategies for "doing well" and what forces represent positive and negative influences that slide towards either personal and communal resilience or vulnerability. The model of the sliding scale is designed to reflect the contingency and interdependence of resilience and vulnerability and their fluctuations between lowest and highest points based on timing, local situation, larger context, and meaning.