Increasing trends in adult obesity in Greenland: a serial cross-sectional study from 1999 through 2018

The prevalence of obesity has increased among Inuit populations across the Arctic, although some studies indicate stabilisation. The Greenlandic Inuit may exhibit distinct obesity patterns due to unique genetic factors and rapid societal transitions. We investigated temporal trends in obesity prevalence among adults in Greenland from 1999 to 2018 by age, sex and place of residence. We analysed data from serial cross-sectional Greenland Population Health Surveys conducted in 1999–2001 (N = 1,004), 2005–2010 (N = 3,031), 2014 (N = 511), and 2018 (N = 859). Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m². The prevalence of obesity increased among all groups. Among women, the prevalence rose from 20.0% (95% CI 16.6, 23.4) in 1999 to 29.6% (95% CI 25.0, 34.2) in 2018; among men, it rose from 14.4% (95% CI 11.2, 17.6) to 22.2% (95% CI 18.5, 26.0). Women maintained a higher prevalence than men across all surveys. Age-specific patterns showed increases up to age 40, then plateaued in both sexes. Geographic differences among women diminished by 2018, whereas men in settlements consistently showed the lowest prevalence. The persistent rise across all demographic groups, combined with geographic convergence among women but not men, highlights the need for targeted, culturally appropriate public health strategies.