Sleep, physical activity, waist circumference and diet as factors that influence health for reproductive age women in northern Greenland:

Background:This study explored community and individual factors that influence the health of reproductive age women in a settlement in northern Greenland. This is important because Greenland has a declining population, a high abortion rate and because of projected environmental shifts due to climate change.Methods:This study collected mixed methods data to explore diet, physical activity, sleep and waist circumference for reproductive age women in Kullorsuaq, Greenland. The daily steps and sleeping hours of 13 reproductive age women were measured using activity monitoring bracelets. Waist circumference measurements and in-depth interviews about daily eating and physical activity were conducted with 15 participants and ethnographic participant observations were recorded using field notes.Results:Waist circumference measurements were above recommended cutoffs established by the World Health Organization. Physical activity measured by daily steps was within the ‘active’ range using the cutoff points establis...