DIET QUALITY INDICES IN RELATION TO METABOLIC SYNDROME IN AN INDIGENOUS CREE (EEYOUCH) POPULATION IN NORTHERN QUÉBEC, CANADA

Background and objectives: To assess associations between three diet quality indices and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Cree (Eeyouch) of northern Québec Canada. Methods: 811 Eeyouch (≥18 years old) from seven James Bay communities participated in the 2005-09 cross-sectional "Nituuchischaayihititaau Aschii" Environment-and-Health study. The alternative- Healthy Eating Index (aHEI-2010), the Food Quality Score (FQS) and the contribution of ultra-processed products (UPP) to the total dietary energy intake using the NOVA classification were calculated from 24-hour food recalls. MetS was determined with the harmonized International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Logistic regressions assessed the relationship between quintiles of dietary quality scores with MetS and its components. Results: MetS prevalence was 56.6% with 95.4% abdominal adiposity, 50.1% elevated fasting plasma glucose, 43.4 % high blood pressure, 38.6% elevated triglycerides and 44.5% reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Comparing highest to lowest quintiles of scores, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MetS was 0.70 [95% CI: 0.39-1.08; p-trend=0.05] for aHEI-2010, 1.06 [95% CI: 0.63-1.76; p-trend=0.87] for FQS and 1.90 [95% CI: 1.14-3.17; p-trend=0.04] for the contribution of UPP to the total dietary energy intake. Conclusions: Although diet quality indices have been associated with cardiometabolic risk, only the dietary intake of UPP was significantly associated with MetS in the Eeyouch. Indices tailored to the food environment of northern communities are essential to further understand the impact of diet quality in this context.