PhD Oral Defense: Relationships of Vitamin D Status and Markers of Skeletal Health to Metabolic Syndrome and Markers of Glucose Homeostasis among Inuit Adults: The International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey 2007-2008

PhD Oral Defense of Nihal A O Natour, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

In Canada, Inuit are facing a rapid nutrition transition away from consumption of traditional food (TF) which coincides with a higher prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and lower vitamin D status.  Vitamin D status is inversely associated with the risks of developing prediabetes, metabolic syndrome (METS) and DM2. Cross talk between energy metabolism and bone through osteocalcin is implicated in the pathophysiology and etiology of DM2.  Epidemiological studies show that osteocalcin associates with reduced insulin resistance and enhanced pancreatic secretion of insulin.  This thesis consists of 4 studies using data from Inuit adults (≥18 y) who participated in the cross-sectional 2007-2008 International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey conducted in three arctic regions, Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

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