Springtime macronutrient intake of Alaska natives of the Bering Straits Region: the Alaska Siberia Project.

OBJECTIVES: The diet of Alaska Natives is a complicated mix of native and imported foods. Dietary intake, which may have changed considerably in the past several decades, has important implications for risk of chronic disease. The objective of this study was to add to the knowledge of dietary intake of Alaska Natives of the Bering Straits Region by describing the macronutrient intake of adults. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study of dietary intake. METHODS: A 24-hour dietary recall was administered among all consenting, non-pregnant residents of four villages, aged 25 years, or more. RESULTS: Data are presented for 209 men and 225 women, who represent 48% of eligible participants. Dietary intake was higher in proportion of energy from protein and lower in proportion of carbohydrate than non-Hispanic white Americans overall. Higher energy and protein intakes were reported for men. Comparisons were also made among Alaskan ethnic groups and previous Alaskan surveys. CONCLUSION: This study of diet among Alaska Natives demonstrates consistency with other recent work. Differences in diet from earlier 20th century observations, such as higher carbohydrate and lower protein intake, are consistent with documented acculturation in Alaska and other circumpolar regions.