Traditional Foods And 25(Oh) D Concentrations In A Subarctic First Nations Community

Background. Sub-optimal vitamin D status is common worldwide and the condition may be associated with increased risk for various chronic diseases. In particular, low vitamin D status is highly prevalent in indigenous communities in Canada, although limited data are available on the determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) concentrations in this population. The relationship between traditional food consumption and vitamin D status has not been well documented.Objective. To investigate the determinants of serum 25(OH) D status in a First Nations community in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on the role of traditional food consumption and activities.Methods. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted within the Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project (2003-2005). A total of 445 participants (> 12 years of age) were assessed for serum 25(OH) D status, anthropometric and lifestyle variables, including traditional and non-traditional dietary practices and activities. Diet patterns were identified using factor analysis, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to analyse the determinants of 25(OH) D concentrations.Results. Mean serum 25(OH) D concentrations were 22.1 nmol/L (16.9, 29.9 nmol/L) in men and 20.5 nmol/L (16.0, 27.3 nmol/L) in women. Multivariate determinants of higher serum 25(OH) D included higher consumption of traditional and healthier market foods, higher wild fish consumption, male gender, spring/summer season of blood collection and more frequent physical activity. Significant negative determinants included hours of TV/day, higher BMI and higher consumption of unhealthy market foods.Conclusions. Traditional food consumption contributed independently to higher 25(OH) D concentrations in a First Nations community with a high prevalence of sub-optimal vitamin D status.