Centre for Health Research in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. pb@niph.dk
To explore the association between dietary n-3 fatty acids and serum lipids in a population with a high intake of marine food. Specifically to test interaction with sex and ethnicity.
Information was obtained from 2280 Inuit who participated in a countrywide health survey in Greenland in 2005-2009. n-3 intake was estimated from an FFQ and analyses of Red Blood Cell (RBC) membranes. Serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride were analysed. Obesity was measured. Information on ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity was obtained from an interview.
In linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, obesity, ethnicity, alcohol, and smoking serum HDL, LDL and triglyceride were associated with n-3 intake estimated as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in RBC membranes. For HDL the interaction between EPA and sex was significant (p