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Nutritional Epidemiology

Dietary Patterns are Linked to Cardiovascular Risk Factors but Not to Inflammatory Markers in Alaska Eskimos^1,2,3

⁴ Medstar Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD 20783 ⁵ Zinman College for Physical Education and Sports, Wingate Institute, Netanya 42902, Israel ⁶ Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel ⁷ IDM Consulting, Anchorage, AK 99504 ⁸ The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030 ⁹ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 ¹⁰ Norton Sound Health Corporation, Nome, AK 99762

Despite the tradition of a diet high in fish oils and abundant physical activity, coronary artery disease is increasing among Alaska Eskimos. Explanations for this observation include lifestyle changes. In this cross-sectional analysis, we evaluated dietary patterns of Alaska Eskimos and investigated the relations between these dietary patterns and known cardiovascular risk factors, including inflammatory markers. We used a principal component analysis with data from FFQ collected in 2000–2004 to determine dietary patterns of Alaska Eskimos. Four dietary patterns were identified: a traditional pattern, plus 3 patterns based on purchased food, one of which reflected healthy food choices. The traditional dietary pattern was associated with lower triglycerides (P < 0.001) and blood pressure (P = 0.04) and slightly higher LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.05). Whereas the healthy purchased diet was associated with a trend toward lower LDL-C (P = 0.09), the beverages and sweets diet was positively associated with LDL-C (P = 0.02). Diet pattern was not associated with inflammatory markers or pathogen burden. Our data show that the traditional diet is related to a better profile of cardiovascular disease risk factors and should be encouraged. Programs are needed to encourage the availability of healthy food choices for those not able to obtain traditional foods.

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: eilatsi{at}017.net.il.

Manuscript received 22 May 2009. Initial review completed 1 July 2009. Revision accepted 15 September 2009.