Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid status is associated with bone strength estimated by calcaneal ultrasonography in Inuit women from Nunavik (Canada): a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the status in selected saturated (SFAs) and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids and the Stiffness Index (SI) in Inuit women from Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada).

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Inuit population from 14 communities who participated to Qanuippitaa? How are we? Nunavik Inuit Health Survey in 2004.

Participants: 187 Inuit women aged 35-72 years.

Measurements: SI was determined by ultrasonography (Achilles InSight device) at the right calcaneus of participants. SFAs and MUFAs contents of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were measured after transmethylation by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. Several factors known to be associated with bone strength were concomitantly recorded. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate relations between selected SFAs, MUFAs and SI, taking into consideration several potential confounders and covariates.

Results: Total SFAs, in particular behenic acid, and cis-vaccenic acid among MUFAs were negatively associated with SI (β = -0.028, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0084; β = -0.060, SE = 0.023, p = 0.0093 and β = -0.087, SE = 0.019, p <0.0001, respectively), whereas total cis-MUFAs and specifically oleic acid were positively associated with SI (β = 0.036, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0008; β = 0.037, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0014, respectively) after adjustment for several covariates.

Conclusion: Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid status is associated with bone strength estimated by calcaneal SI values in Inuit women from Nunavik.