Assessment of supplement use (including vitamin D ) in I nuvialuit adults in the N orthwest T erritories, C anada

Background Inuvialuit of A rctic C anada are at high risk for inadequate vitamin D status as a result of rapid dietary transitions and a lack of solar ultraviolet B exposure. This may have implications for the development of adverse skeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Data are limited regarding supplement use in A rctic A boriginal populations. The present study aimed to describe the type and extent of supplement use, emphasising vitamin D , and to identify differences between supplement users and non‐users. Methods Supplement information was collected from a population‐specific quantitative food frequency questionnaire in three communities in the N orthwest T erritories, C anada, as part of a cross‐sectional study. Data were analysed for frequency of supplementation and types of supplements. Users and non‐users were compared in terms of age, sex, body mass index , education, marital status, income support, employment and chronic disease diagnosis using nonparametric tests and the chi‐squared test. Results Response rates ranged from 65% to 85%. Included in the analysis were 192 I nuvialuit (45 males, 147 females) with a mean (SD) age of 43.6 (13.9) years. Twenty‐three percent reported using a supplement, with multivitamins being the most common. Three percent indicated taking a vitamin D ‐containing supplement. No significant differences between supplement users and non‐users were found. Conclusions Despite limited sun exposure for many months of the year, a small proportion of I nuvialuit adults were using supplements, and specifically vitamin D ‐containing supplements. Future population‐based intervention strategies should promote consumption of vitamin D rich foods and encourage the use of vitamin D supplements if diet alone is unable to meet recommendations.