Showing papers in "Annals of Human Biology in 1982"
TL;DR: Japanese now have trunk/leg proportions much more similar to those of North Europeans than was the case 20 years ago, but their adult height remains about one standard deviation lower.
Abstract: The secular trends in height, sitting height and leg length in Japanese children have been studied by fitting Preece-Baines Model I curves to the annual mean values from ages five to 17 of school data collected in 1957, 1967 and 1977. The method provides estimates of final adult value, and of age of maximum annual increment. Between 1957 and 1977 the maximal increments in height, sitting height and leg length all became earlier, by about a year in boys and a little less in girls. Japanese now mature about a year earlier than North Europeans. Adult height increased by 4.3 cm in boys and 2.7 cm in girls between 1957 and 1977, the increment being less in the second decade than in the first. Sitting height showed practically no increase whatever; almost the whole secular trend was due to change in leg length. Japanese now have trunk/leg proportions much more similar to those of North Europeans than was the case 20 years ago, but their adult height remains about one standard deviation lower.
380 citations
TL;DR: Comparison with British data suggests that growth patterns in the Gambian villages are characterized by the substantial deficits in both height and weight that develop in early life and which appear to persist without rectification into adulthood.
Abstract: Records of heights and weights kept for more than 25 years for two neighbouring Gambian villages have been used to describe the pattern of growth. There was no secular trend in height. Children who died during the investigation were smaller and lighter than the survivors, but the interval between the last available dry-season measurement and death was not associated with the degree of deficit in height and weight. The presence of seasonal variation in the rates of growth in height and weight was shown, the lowest rates occurring during late rains (August to November). Height growth curves from the age of 5 to 23-25 years were fitted for 55 boys and 62 girls. The curves indicate that puberty is much delayed in Gambian adolescents in comparison to British and West Bengal data. The mean age at peak height velocity (PHV) was 16.3 and 13.8 years for boys and girls respectively. The corresponding velocities were 6.9 and 6.0 cm/yr. In girls but not in boys there was a significant negative correlation (-0.46) between the age at PHV and PHV itself. There was no significant correlation between the age at PHV and adult height. Comparison with British data suggests that growth patterns in the Gambian villages are characterized by the substantial deficits in both height and weight that develop in early life and which appear to persist without rectification into adulthood.
139 citations
TL;DR: The age-specific probability of natural compared with surgically induced menopause was shown to be independent of smoking history and obesity, and logistic regression analysis was used to show that obesity, alcohol intake and regular use of aspirin and other analgesics, sedatives, tranquillizers or anti-depressants did not affect the distribution of the age at natural menopausal age.
Abstract: SummaryIn a sample of 15 464 apparently healthy Australian women, the mean age at natural menopause of women who smoke ten or more cigarettes a day was 1·3 years lower than that of other women. These distributions were well described by logistic distributions with the same variances. A parallel non-parametric Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that heavy smokers reached menopause earlier than other women, and also showed that the women accurately recalled their age at menopause. Logistic regression analyses were used to show that obesity, alcohol intake and regular use of aspirin and other analgesics, sedatives, tranquillizers or anti-depressants did not affect the distribution of the age at natural menopause.The age-specific probability of natural compared with surgically induced menopause was shown to be independent of smoking history and obesity.Logistic regression analysis is a powerful statistical technique for analysing data such as age-specific proportions of still menstrual women. It is easy to apply...
111 citations
TL;DR: The growth of upper and lower-limb segments of 96 adolescent boys and girls from the Royal Hospital School Longitudinal Study was analysed and significant individual differences seemed to be related to the individual's tempo of growth.
Abstract: The growth of upper and lower-limb segments of 96 adolescent boys and girls from the Royal Hospital School Longitudinal Study was analysed. Preece-Baines Model 1 curves were fitted to the longitudinal data to obtain, for each measurement, age at peak velocity and the magnitude of this velocity. Mean-constant peak velocities were between 1-0 and 2-5 cm/yr in all segments. They were in all cases greater than the values obtained from fitting the P-B curve to the cross-sectional means at successive ages. Boys had greater peak velocities than girls in all measurements (sex ratio 1-1 to 1-4). On average distal segments preceded more proximal segments in the ages at which peak velocity occurred. Considerable individual differences, however, occurred in the order for the upper limb segments. These differences seemed to be related to the individual's tempo of growth; late developers had a significantly different order to early developers.
107 citations
TL;DR: During the period around or after birth, the processes leading to menarche are clearly more sensitive than at later ages, and during adolescence, the maturation process may be influenced somewhat, but probably not much as long as the conditions are not adverse.
Abstract: Data on the historical trends for menarcheal age and socio-economic conditions in Norway are used to investigate whether the reproductive system in humans is especially sensitive to environmental stimuli during any particular short age periods. The method which has been used is based on the irregularity in the trend for socio-economic development. These irregularities are reflected in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a quantity for which official estimates are available from 1865 onwards. Estimates of menarcheal age for women born in each year from about 1840 have been calculated from information obtained from maternity clinic records. For the period between 1900 and World War II, a close correspondence is found between the GDP in a year, and the menarcheal age of women born in the same or the preceding year. For the years before 1900, the data on menarcheal age is less satisfactory, but the correspondence may be fairly good also for this period. When values of GDP corresponding to higher ages is used, the correlation is less satisfactory. Other information on the susceptibility of the reproductive system towards environmental influences is reviewed. The following conclusion is reached: during the period around or after birth, the processes leading to menarche are clearly more sensitive than at later ages. During adolescence, the maturation process may be influenced somewhat, but probably not much as long as the conditions are not adverse. These observations may be seen as illustrating that phenomena corresponding to the critical or sensitive periods described for animal species, are also observable during the longer-lasting process of human development.
69 citations
TL;DR: In rural areas the effects of fathers' education on menarcheal age of daughters was much higher than in Warsaw, suggesting a decrease of social differences in maturation rate of Polish girls.
Abstract: SummaryMenarcheal age of 5546 Warsaw girls studied in 1976 was estimated by probit analysis as 12·73±0·03 SD 1·10 and of 7771 rural girls studied during 1976–1978 as 13·40±0·02 SD 1·20. The difference was 0·67±0·04. The difference between the groups from Warsaw and rural areas where fathers had only primary education was 0·57±0·07 year, while that between the groups where fathers had the highest education in both localities was only 0·31±0·09. When in both environments the groups were equated both for primary fathers' education and also number of children in the family, the differences in menarcheal age were 0·37±0·28, 0·49±0·11 and 0·47±0·14 in families with one, two and three children, respectively. In rural areas the effects of fathers' education on menarcheal age of daughters was much higher than in Warsaw.The secular trend from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s was 0·25 years per decade in Warsaw and 0·64 years per decade in rural areas, suggesting a decrease of social differences in maturation rate of ...
69 citations
TL;DR: The variety of possible causes of the trend towards earlier maturity was investigated by making use of the post-war rapid decline of MI age, which indicates that the progression of urbanization as a way of life has been of prime importance.
Abstract: SummaryTo clarify the true amount of the secular trend of growth in height in Japanese children, birth-year cohorts affected by World War II were excluded from an analysis of the trend in age of maximum increment in mean height (MI age) during the last 80 years. The cohort which experienced the war had an abnormally high maximum annual increment, asymmetry of the histogram representing the annual increments and a poor fit of the logistic function to the adolescent growth curve. The cohorts in which growth in height was under the influence of the great social changes of the war were statistically discriminated according to these three abnormalities of the growth pattern. Since the cohorts which underwent MI age just after the war showed a distorted growth pattern, it is evident that the post-war rapid lowering of MI age for cohorts from 1934 to 1946 should be taken as a convalescent stage after the war-time repression of growth. Excluding the period affected by the war, MI age of both sexes has become earl...
62 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that anthropometric attributes would predict the distance running performance to about the same degree as physiological attributes.
Abstract: SummaryPrevious studies have indicated the relative importance of not only cardiovascular-respiratory function but physical dimensions and body composition as factors involved in success in distance running. A total of 114 Japanese young, middle- and long-distance runners (age=19·0±1·7 yr) served as subjects. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed before the measurement of V˙O2max (open circuit method) and Q˙max (CO2 rebreathing method). Among many anthropometric variables, chest girth, upper leg length and thigh girth were best related to performances over 800, 1500 and 5000 metres, while upper arm girth, the Rohrer Index, and the Ponderal Index represented the 10 000 m performance. As a result of factor analysis and the multiple regression analysis, three factors (i.e., linearity of physique, girth of physique, and subcutaneous fat) were extracted, and the first two factors were nearly equally related to the 800 m, 1500 m and 5000 m performances. The 10 000m, however, was best accounted for by the...
61 citations
TL;DR: The present data suggest that differences between the Jewish populations cannot always be explained by admixture; other factors such as the effect of convergent adaptive processes must be considered.
Abstract: In six Jewish populations from Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Yemen, the frequencies of 30 genes from 13 loci were determined. The calculation of genetic distances between these populations as well as a cluster analysis were done. The gene frequencies of these six populations were computed together with those of 19 other Jewish populations of diverse countries described in the literature. Of the 19 populations, 22 alleles from 10 loci were checked. Gene frequencies in autochthonous, non-Jewish populations from these countries were also computed. All Jewish populations except Yemenites are concentrated in the same cluster, being closer one to another than to any of the non-Jewish groups. A similar picture is obtained when Jewish and non-Jewish populations from 19 countries are subjected to cluster analysis. The differences between the Jewish populations generally tend to bring them closer to the corresponding non-Jewish groups. The present data suggest that these differences cannot always be explained by admixture; other factors such as the effect of convergent adaptive processes must be considered.
51 citations
TL;DR: Time-series analysis of stature, body weight and their increments per month was made by the Program of Census Method IIX11 resulting in three components: a trend-and-cycle factor, a seasonal factor and an irregular factor, indicating that growth rate of stature or body weight fluctuates, instead of being smooth.
Abstract: Since 1971, stature and body weight in five siblings have been measured monthly. Time-series analysis of stature, body weight and their increments per month was made by the Program of Census Method IIX11 resulting in three components: a trend-and-cycle factor, a seasonal factor and an irregular factor. Significant seasonal variation was found in both stature and body weight. In two young subjects, trend curves of stature are very close to each other while those of body weight are different. Trend factor in increment indicates that growth rate of stature or body weight fluctuates, instead of being smooth, suggesting that from birth to maturity acceleration and deceleration occur alternately, like repeated retardations and subsequent catch-ups. A high peak of body weight increment precedes menarche by 1 1/2 years in two girls. In one case, no adolescent spurt in stature was observed while a high peak appeared in body weight in that period. Irregularity in stature is about one-tenth that of body weight when the two are compared in terms of the ratio of SD of irregular factor/mean of trend factor. The raw data are given in an appendix.
49 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary results indicate that immigrants who have either low or high levels of contact with Honolulu's urban culture have lower stress levels, as measured by catecholamine excretion, than individuals with intermediate level of contact.
Abstract: SummaryThis preliminary survey evaluates the utility of physiological measures of general stress in anthropological fieldwork. The survey was conducted in a community of Filipino-Americans whose residents share similar housing conditions and low income levels but vary in ethnicity, migration status and degree of contact with Hawaii's urban culture. General stress levels are evaluated both by a subjective stress measure—the Cornell Medical Index (CMI)—and by physiological measures—twenty-four-hour excretion rates of norepinephrine, epinephrine and VMA. In addition, sociocultural data have been collected, and a culture contact index has been constructed. Preliminary results indicate that immigrants who have either low or high levels of contact with Honolulu's urban culture have lower stress levels, as measured by catecholamine excretion, than individuals with intermediate levels of contact. These differences may be due to the presence of two strategies of urban adaptation, one emphasizing isolation from the...
TL;DR: It is concluded that there is little scope for identifying the majority of children at risk of obesity in a characteristic social environment, but the increase in the association between measures of Obesity in parents and older children provides a possible tool for the early detection of children who may become obese.
Abstract: The association of social and family factors with triceps skinfold and weight for height and age was assessed using multiple regression analyses for 5-11 year-old-children in England and Scotland. Parents' body build was the factor most consistently associated with the two proxy measures of obesity. Number of siblings in the family was inversely related to triceps skinfold thickness. Parents' body-build and number of siblings were more strongly related to our measures of obesity in the older age groups and in girls, whereas child's birth-weight was more associated with weight for height and triceps skinfold in the younger age groups. Father's social class and mother's education made almost no contribution to the variation of triceps skinfold and weight for height in children. The relative risk of obesity associated with any individual independent variables was less than or around two. We conclude that there is little scope for identifying the majority of children at risk of obesity in a characteristic social environment. However, the increase in the association between our measures of obesity in parents and older children provides a possible tool for the early detection of children who may become obese.
TL;DR: Although all ventilatory indices were adversely affected by smoking, the rates of decline of these indices with age were not accelerated in smokers compared with non-smokers, in contrast to the findings of previous surveys on European populations.
Abstract: SummaryA survey of three indices of ventilatory capacity (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1; forced vital capacity, FVC; and peak expiratory flow rate, PEFR) was carried out on 3490 Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong aged between 5 and 97 years. The results are compared with those of previous surveys of ventilatory capacity in a variety of ethnic groups. Our results confirm previous findings that the indices FEV1 and FVC are proportional to the square of the height of the subject, but we have found that PEFR is proportional to height itself. Using the indices FEV1/height2, FVC/height2 and PEFR/height we have derived regression equations which may be used to predict normal values of the ventilatory indices for both adults and children. An interesting observation in this cross-sectional survey was that although all ventilatory indices were adversely affected by smoking, the rates of decline of these indices with age were not accelerated in smokers compared with non-smokers, in contrast to the findi...
TL;DR: Genetic markers consisting of 11 blood group and red cell enzyme systems were investigated in 14 endogamous groups of north-west India and suggest that the differences in genetic structure are more likely to be due to their breeding structure, differential migration and ethnic affiliation.
Abstract: Genetic markers consisting of 11 blood group and red cell enzyme systems were investigated in 14 endogamous groups of north-west India. Genetic differentiation among the samples as indicated by FST is appreciable, reflecting the ethnic diversity characteristic of this region. Local variation within each state is lower, indicating a geographical component to the total variation. This variation is refined by calculations of genetic distances, which show that the tribals and low-caste groups are closer together but well separated from high-caste Brahmins and other non-tribal middle castes. There is a slight possibility of disruptive selection, but the analyses suggest that the differences in genetic structure in north-west India are more likely to be due to their breeding structure, differential migration and ethnic affiliation.
TL;DR: The present results revealed no relationship between skeletal maturity and socio-economic class and the TW-2 method is well suited for the evaluation of skeletal maturity in Danish children.
Abstract: SummaryA study of skeletal maturity was conducted in 1100 healthy Danish children at ages 6–16 years. The children were selected in a random manner reflecting a cross-section of socio-economic levels in Denmark. Skeletal maturity was assessed according to the method of Tanner and co-workers (TW-2, 1975). The results confirmed that the TW-2 method is well suited for the evaluation of skeletal maturity in Danish children. The RUS-score, however, was about six months advanced in Danish boys aged 14–15 and girls aged 12–15. A similar pattern has been reported for other groups of Danish children by Helm (1979). The present results revealed no relationship between skeletal maturity and socio-economic class.
TL;DR: Pelvic indices for men and women of similar stature were significantly different, with the exception of the brim index, and these anatomical changes were correlated with year of birth.
Abstract: Standardized radiological pelvimetry was used to examine 242 male and 314 female adults attending the out-patient departments of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Seven indices of pelvic size and shape were measured from X-rays on each individual together with social and biological factors including age, height and year of birth. The aims were to quantify any differences in pelvic anatomy between the sexes and to measure correlations between these pelvic indices and selected biosocial factors. Pelvic indices for men and women of similar stature were significantly different, with the exception of the brim index, and these anatomical changes were correlated with year of birth. The similarity of the findings in both sexes suggests common environmental factors such as nutrition are the most likely causes, rather than factors specifically associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
TL;DR: It is argued that a possible cause of general lack of well supported hypotheses for seasonal variations is that an environmental factor may cause marked cyclic variations, without having a marked effect on the process determining maturation.
Abstract: Data from about 11,000 girls aged 10-18 years were used to study seasonal variations in menarche in Oslo, Norway. A statistical method which takes into account the changes over time in the age-structure of the sample is used to show that throughout the period 1965-1970, the menarche incidence varied according to a stable bimodal seasonal pattern with peaks in December-January and July-August. This pattern corresponds to those observed in Sweden and Finland, but deviates from other reported patterns, i.e. from the variations found in Copenhagen. It is argued that a possible cause of general lack of well supported hypotheses for seasonal variations is that an environmental factor may cause marked cyclic variations, without having a marked effect on the process determining maturation.
TL;DR: The results, although tentative due to the limited sample size, support the earlier findings on Olympic athletes, i.e., fatness is more influenced by sport and by training than is fat patterning.
Abstract: SummarySix skinfold measurements of 92 White, Black and Mexican-American high school varisity female athletes were analysed to identify principal components of fatness and relative fat patterning. As in other athletic and non-athletic samples, two principal components were evident: a first component, accounting for 69% of the variation, was positively related to all skinfold sites, and a second principal component, accounting for 11% of the variation, was correlated positively with extremity sites (particularly lower limb sites) and negatively with trunk sites. The first component (fatness) was significantly related to sport (P < 0·02) but not ethnicity. The second component (extremity/trunk) was significantly related to ethnicity (P < 0·01) but not sport. These results, although tentative due to the limited sample size, support our earlier findings on Olympic athletes, i.e., fatness is more influenced by sport and by training than is fat patterning.
TL;DR: In the light of known levels of infant mortality and morbidity at Yuendumu between 1953 and 1970, it is suggested that the high PHVs may be indicative of 'catch-up' growth following early childhood retardation.
Abstract: SummaryAdolescent growth in height was studied in 62 Australian Aboriginal children enrolled in a longitudinal study at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory of Australia. A direct-search method for minimization of the Preece-Baines Model 1 function was used to estimate mean constants and biological parameters describing the adolescent growth.There were few differences between Aboriginal and British children in the ages at take-off (TO) and peak height velocity (PHV), in adolescent gain or in the percentages of adult height achieved at TO and PHV. Aboriginal boys, however, were shorter than British boys at TO, PHV and adulthood. PHVs in the Aboriginals, 10·3 cm/yr in boys and 8·4 cm/yr in girls, were higher than in British children. In the light of known levels of infant mortality and morbidity at Yuendumu between 1953 and 1970, it is suggested that the high PHVs may be indicative of ‘catch-up’ growth following early childhood retardation.
TL;DR: The extent to which individuals of different periods bear the same surname shows an apparent tendency for the closeness of genetic interrelationship to decrease from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and to level off with fluctuations through the mid-18th century.
Abstract: SummaryFrom the surnames of 21 132 individuals baptised in the Tyneside parish of Whickham between 1577 and 1758, the extent to which individuals of different periods bear the same surname shows (1) a coefficient of correlation of +0·93 between data on males and females; (2) the highest rates between individuals of the same 26-year period, lower between adjacent periods and still lower between periods more separated in time; (3) an apparent tendency for the closeness of genetic interrelationship to decrease from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and to level off with fluctuations through the mid-18th century. This drop was concurrent with military campaigns and epidemics which affected the parish, but preceded the industrial revolution with its possible effects on labour migrations.
TL;DR: In Polynesians, HLA-B22 was increased in frequency in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and also in persons with impaired glucose tolerance, but the association was not statistically significant when corrected for the number of antigens tested.
Abstract: SummaryHLA antigen distributions in persons with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance were compared in four Pacific populations. The populations included Melanesians from the Fijian Islands, Loyalty Islands and mainland New Caledonia and Polynesians from the Wallis Islands. HLA-DR results are provided for the first time for Pacific groups. In Polynesians, HLA-B22 was increased in frequency in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and also in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. However, the association was not statistically significant when corrected for the number of antigens tested. A similar increase in HLA-B22, although not significant, was seen in each of the three Melanesian populations with abnormal glucose tolerance. No other consistent increase in any HLA antigen occurred in persons with abnormal plasma glucose concentrations.
TL;DR: Negative regression of DZ and sibling pair variances on pair means suggests the action of non-additive genes or unequal gene frequencies tending to increase finger ridge counts, and negative skewness of the distributions supports this view.
Abstract: SummaryA genetical analysis of variation in finger ridge counts of 221 pairs of twins and 80 pairs of opposite sex siblings has been carried out. Negative regression of DZ and sibling pair variances on pair means suggests the action of non-additive genes or unequal gene frequencies tending to increase finger ridge counts. Negative skewness of the distributions supports this view. While models including dominance or epistasis are not a significant improvement over purely additive genetic models, it is regarded as important that large and positive values of non-additive genetic variance are estimated. The evolutionary importance of dominance and epistasis for greater finger ridge counts is discussed.
TL;DR: The genetical and environmental structure of covariation between finger ridge counts in twin and sibling data has been analysed using the method of Martin and Eaves (1977) adapted from Jöreskog.
Abstract: Summary1. The genetical and environmental structure of covariation between finger ridge counts in twin and sibling data has been analysed using the method of Martin and Eaves (1977) adapted from Joreskog.2. The model for environmental covariance contains a single factor loading on all ten digits but most environmental variance is specific to each finger.3. For additive genetic variance there is one common factor loading on all digits. There are also five other independent factors, one for each digit. The thumb factor loads only on the two thumbs but the four finger factors load on the finger in question and on the adjacent fingers.4. A single common factor for non-additive genetic variance produces a considerable improvement in the model.5. The pattern of genetic effects differs between left and right hands.6. Although the same model is appropriate for males and females, different parameter estimates are required.7. The fit of models is sensitive to the scale of measurement.
TL;DR: A trend was found for later mean age of attainment of B2, B3, PH2 and PH3 among girls of the lowest social class (as measured by father's occupation), girls whose mothers were poorly educated, and girls from large families, and amongst girls of Near Eastern origin.
Abstract: SummaryA status quo study was undertaken in Jerusalem, Israel in 1977 in order to determine the mean age of attainment of breast stages 2 and 3 (B2 and B3), pubic hair stages 2 and 3 (PH2 and PH3), and menarche. A sample of 285 Jewish girls in grades 3 through 8 were examined for signs of pubertal development and questioned about their menarcheal status. The data were analysed by probit analysis. The mean age found for B2 was 10·30±0·28 years; for B3 was 11·01±0·16 years; for PH2 was 10·58±0·22 years; for PH3 was 11·39±0·11 years; and for menarche was 13·29±0·45 years. These are the first data available on an Israeli population of mean age of breast and pubic hair development. A trend was found for later mean age of attainment of B2, B3, PH2 and PH3 among girls of the lowest social class (as measured by father's occupation), girls whose mothers were poorly educated, and girls from large families. A trend towards early mean age of attainment of B2 and B3 was found among girls of European-American-Israeli e...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Eruption data for permanent teeth, obtained from a previous cross-sectional study of 2847 African and Asian school children aged 4-14 years in Nairobi, Kenya, were used to calculate the median age and the 10th-90th percentile range of age, for a given number of teeth present.
Abstract: SummaryEruption data for permanent teeth, obtained from a previous cross-sectional study of 2847 African and Asian schoolchildren aged 4–14 years in Nairobi, Kenya, were used to calculate the median age and the 10th–90th percentile range of age, for a given number of teeth present.For a limited period (5–13 years) up to the time of eruption of second molars, the total number of permanent teeth erupted can be used to estimate the age of a child, with an error which increases with the number of teeth present. The range of this error is about 18–30% of the median age for African males, 21–29% for African females, 15–33% for Asian males and 18–33% for Asian females, with a 1 in 5 chance that the error may exceed these limits.
TL;DR: The results support the contention that social circumstances contribute to overweight in adults and conclude that the selection of families for preventive health measures using the above risk factors would exclude a large proportion of the population who will become obese.
Abstract: SummaryLower social class, several children, an overweight partner and increasing age were factors significantly associated with overweight in parents aged 20–55 years in England and Scotland. These associations were greater for women than men in both countries. These results support the contention that social circumstances contribute to overweight in adults. However, both the magnitude of the explained variation and the relative risk of each factor for overweight were low. We conclude that the selection of families for preventive health measures using the above risk factors would exclude a large proportion of the population who will become obese.
TL;DR: The Preece-Baines Model 1 curve has been fitted to longitudinal data on growth in height of 105 boys and girls in 70 Bengal families: 60 of these were sibs distributed in 25 families: the sample is small and these estimates have high standard errors and need confirmation.
Abstract: The Preece-Baines Model 1 curve has been fitted to longitudinal data on growth in height of 105 boys and girls in 70 Bengal families: 60 of these were sibs distributed in 25 families. For a number of growth characteristics, such as age at peak height velocity, the proportion of the total population variance that was due to variation between, as opposed to within, families was estimated by Smith's (1980) method. The proportions for age at take-off of the adolescent spurt, of age at PHV, and of PHV itself were 22%, 26% and 33% (where adult height gives a value of about 40%). The sample is small and these estimates have high standard errors and need confirmation.
TL;DR: Highland men had greater body weights and fat-free masses than coastal men but stature, body density, skinfold thickness and fat mass were similar in the two groups, contrasts with the changes seen in European populations.
Abstract: SummaryAnthropometric and body density measurements were made on 105 coastal and 115 highland 17–48 year old New Guinean men and women. The two groups experienced different physical, biological and social environments, the highland group being less exposed to new influences. These New Guineans were short in stature (men 1·61 SD 0·05 m, women 1·52 SD 0·05 m), light in weight (men 57·4 SD 5·0 kg, women 49·4 SD 5·4 kg), lean (men 10 SD 4% fat, women 21 SD 4% fat) and muscular compared with most European populations. Highland men had greater body weights and fat-free masses than coastal men but stature, body density, skinfold thickness and fat mass were similar in the two groups. In the women, there were significant negative correlations of age with body weight, skinfold thicknesses, fatfree mass and fat mass which contrasts with the changes seen in European populations. The correlations of body density with logΣ four skinfolds were low, probably because of the homogeneity of the groups. Body density was reli...
TL;DR: Variations observed in the estimation of body fat by densitometry are well within the basic errors of the method.
Abstract: SummaryThe body fat content of 15 adults, 6 females and 9 males, was estimated from body density. The body density of each individual was measured by weighing under water after (i) maximal expiration, (ii) moderate expiration, (iii) minimal expiration, (iv) moderate inspiration, (v) light meal, (vi) heavy meal, (vii) carbonated drink. Variations in the levels of expiration and inspiration caused only about 1% difference in the estimated fat content of the body. Consumption of food before the experiment had a similar effect. Comparatively large volumes of gas in the alimentary tract (caused by a carbonated drink before the experiment) resulted in a difference of about 1·5% in the body fat content. These variations observed in the estimation of body fat by densitometry are well within the basic errors of the method.