Cigarette Smoking and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in the Indigenous Population of the Arctic Territory of Yakutia

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the influence of smoking on components of the metabolic syndrome and their relationship in the indigenous population of the Arctic territory of Yakutia. Methods and Results: The material for the study was collected under expeditionary conditions in the Arctic territory of Yakutia in places of compact residence of indigenous peoples. Using the continuous method, we examined 348 subjects (225 women and 123 men). The average age of the respondents was 48.16±0.52 years (49.71±0.63 years for women and 44.98±0.91 years for men). The research program included the following sections: a questionnaire for objective assessment of state; anthropometric examination; assessment of blood pressure (BP); determination of insulin and fasting glucose. In the survey, only those who smoked at least 1 cigarette per day during the last 12 months were considered smokers. The obtained results indicate that the indigenous population of the northern territory of Yakutia has a high frequency of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular pathology, such as overweight, obesity, and smoking. Overweight is equally common in both men and women; obesity is almost 2.5 times more common in women. An increase in body weight and systolic BP is not associated with smoking; however, the simultaneous combination of all these factors can affect the risk of cardiovascular incidents. A negative relationship between BMI and smoking was found. An increased index of insulin resistance is associated with the simultaneous spread of obesity among nonsmokers. The same association of glucose level with BP was obtained in both smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusion: Metabolic disorders in the indigenous population of the northern territory of Yakutia are caused by a change in the traditional way of life and nutrition, with a decrease in physical activity and a lack of adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

Keywords

• smoking
• overweight
• obesity
• insulin
• glucose
• systolic blood pressure
• indigenous population
• yakutia