Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 2007"

Age-related Patterns of Upper Arm Muscle and Fat Area in Turkish Children and Assessment of Nutritional Status

Abstract: Anthropometric estimation of midarm muscularity and fatness was employed as a general index of nutritional status in developing countries. The present study attempts to evaluate the sex- and age-related pattern of regional muscle and fat area characteristics in Turkish children. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,068 10- to 14-year-old children (583 boys and 485 girls) from junior high schools in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. According to general anthropometric protocols, weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm circumference measurements were taken and socioeconomic data were collected. Arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) were calculated and centile curves were evaluated using least median squares method. Results showed significant sexual dimorphism in muscle and fat patterning. AFA was found to be higher among girls and AMA among boys. The present findings suggest that the different levels of socioeconomic status (SES) appeared to be more prevalent on muscularity among boys (p < 0.05) and adiposity among girls (p < 0.001).

Which Measure of Abdominal Adiposity Best Relates with Body Mass Index Among Older Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India? A Comparison of Three Measures

Abstract: A cross-sectional study of 410 (210 men and 200 women) older (≥55 years) Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India, was undertaken to determine which measure of abdominal adiposity best relates with body mass index (BMI), an indicator of overall adiposity. Three measures of abdominal adiposity were studied: waist circumference (WC), waist–hip ratio (WHR), and conicity index (CI). Results revealed that, in both sexes, WC had the strongest partial (age controlled) correlations with BMI (men = 0.56, women = 0.80). Linear regression analyses demonstrated that BMI had the strongest significant impact on WC in both sexes. BMI alone accounted for 28.2 and 61.8% variation in WC in men and women, respectively. This strongest significant impact remained even after controlling for age. In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence that WC can be preferred over WHR and CI in studies dealing with BMI among older Bengalee Hindus. In particular, BMI and WC can be useful in studies dealing with aging and anthropometric characteristics among older Bengalees.

Dermatoglyph Groups Kinh Vietnamese to Mon-Khmer

Abstract: Kinh is the largest population in Vietnam. It belongs to Mon-Khmer linguistically, but there is no last word for its origin. There are three hypotheses for the homeland of Kinh. The formation of Kinh population is also hypothesized to have occurred by one of two different modes. One is demic diffusion of Mon-Khmer, the other is Daic population assimilated by Mon-Khmer. Population studies such as dermatoglyphics can be used to determine the relevant mode. Fingerprints, palm prints, and sole prints of 135 individuals from Kinh populations all over Vietnam were collected in this project. Principle component analysis and dendrogram analysis were done based on the dermatoglyphic data of populations from south China and Vietnam. Kinh Vietnamese was found to be quite close to Deang and Blang, which belong to the Mon-Khmer group, but are not closely related to the Daic populations. This study supports the demic diffusion mode of the formation of the Kinh population. The interaction with the Daic population was never a significant course in the formation of Kinh.

Body Mass Index and Chronic Energy Deficiency Among Urban Bengalee Male Slum Dwellers of Kolkata, India: Relationship with Family Income

Abstract: A cross-sectional study of 191 adult (>18 years) Bengalee male slum dwellers of Kolkata, India, was undertaken to study the relationships of family income with body mass index (BMI) and chronic energy deficiency (CED). Results revealed that the mean height, weight, and BMI of the subjects were 162.2 cm, 54.0 kg, and 20.5 kg/m2, respectively. The overall frequency of CED (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) was 33.5%. Based on the World Health Organization classification, the prevalence of CED among this population was high (20–39%) and thus the situation is serious. Overall, monthly family income (MFI) was significantly positively correlated (r = 0.18, p < 0.05) with BMI. Linear regression analyses showed that MFI had significant impact (p < 0.05) on BMI. The percent variation in BMI explained by MFI was 2.6%. Subjects belonging to the lowest family income group (FIG) had the lowest mean BMI (19.5 kg/m2) and the highest rate of CED (46.6%) while those in the highest FIG had the largest mean BMI (21.4 kg/m2) and lowest rate of CED (23.1%). There was a significant FIG difference (F = 2.965, p < 0.05) in mean BMI. Moreover, there existed FIG differences (χ 2 = 7.54, p < 0.06) in CED rates. In conclusion, this study provided strong evidence that FIG was significantly associated with BMI and the presence of CED. The rate of CED was high, indicating a serious situation. These findings may have severe public health implications. It is recommended that immediate nutritional intervention programs be initiated among this population along with serious efforts to increase their family income.

The Occurrence and Age Distribution of Harris Lines in Turkey

Abstract: Harris lines are widely accepted as indicators of physiological stress and provide valuable data for determining the extent and nature of the physiological stress factors acting on a human community. Traditionally, Harris lines are studied in skeletal populations. In the study reported here, data were collected on living children to eventually clarify if stress is basically chronic or acute in nature, if it has a greater impact on children or adults, and if it is correlated with increased rates of mortality. The existence of Harris lines was determined in a sample of 400 children, 210 males and 190 females, randomly selected from those under examination in the radiology services of hospitals. Radiological analysis was used to analyze Harris lines. The age of Harris line formation and variations in the number of lines with age were established to determine at which age the densest line population was present. For this sample, the formation of Harris lines is around 2–3 years of age, in agreement with published literature. It should be taken into consideration that Harris lines are the end result of multiple factors, rather than a single stress factor, and are influenced by an individual’s immune system and resistance to stress.

Secular Trends of Reproductive Indices in Chuvashian Women

Abstract: In the present cross-sectional study of the Chuvashian rural population, we examined the secular trends of age at menarche, the age at menopause, the reproductive period, and the age of the first marriage of Chuvashian women. The cohort included 745 women aged 18–90 years; age at menarche (N = 653) ranging from 10 to 24 years (mean 15.42 ± 2.11). Data regarding menopausal age was obtained from 316 women born between 1920 and 1950 (mean 48.5 ± 4.6). Statistical analyses included the maximum likelihood estimation and a Whiskers plot. Women born during the second through the fourth decade of the 20th century showed increasing mean values of age at menarche from 15.4 (second decade) up to 16.5 (fourth decade) and after that a decrease of the mean values to 14.0 (ninth decade). The mean values of menopausal age increased from 47.0 (women born from 1920 to 1925) to 49.3 (born from 1945 to 1950). Age at first marriage showed a trend of decreasing age. Our study demonstrated secular trends of age at menarche in Chuvashian women who had matured after World War II and also confirmed secular trends of increased age at menopause and the duration of the reproductive period. Women, whose maturation was during or immediately after World War II, showed a higher age at menarche and a higher dispersion of age at menopause.

Kenya: Population Growth in the Light of Its Adopted Policies

Abstract: This article, part of a wider study on fertility dynamics in Kenya, attempts to synthetically reconstruct the evolution of the Kenyan population structure over the past 60 years, following the development of population policies adopted by the Kenyan government. It emphasizes the importance and the necessity of political participation in order to restrain the population growth that, in a country such as Kenya, aggravates the existing deficiencies in the field of nutrition and hygiene. The article also takes a brief look at the future prospects of Kenya.

Effects of Migration on Genetic Variability and Parent–Offspring Correlation Coefficients in Anthropometric and Physiometric Phenotypes Among Three Groups of Population in Punjab, India

Abstract: In the present study, we examined the migration effects on genetic variabilities and heritabilities patterns between three groups of population like parental population in Punjab, migrant from Pakistan, and migrant from other states of India in Punjab using anthropometric and physiometric traits. A total of 500 adult individuals from 300 families were studied. Statistical comparisons were carried out through mean coefficients, Student’s t test, heritability, and regression analysis. The results suggest a significant migration effect on almost all traits. Correlation coefficient for first-degree relatives, the slope factors, and heritabilities for almost all variables have been found significant among the three groups of populations. However, the discrimination is more prominent among migrant from other states of India because of more genetic heterogeneity.

Low Birth Weight and Normal Birth Weight Newborns of Kolkata, India: Comparison of Some Maternal Risk Factors

Abstract: This study compared several maternal risk factors of low birth weight (LBW) between 204 normal birth weight (NBW) and 133 LBW newborns from Kolkata, India. Based on their birth weight (BW), newborns were classified as LBW (BW < 2.5 kg) and NBW (BW ≥ 2.5 kg). Results revealed that means for maternal age (MA, p < 0.05), gestational age (GA, p < 0.01), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (p < 0.05), and per capita daily income (PCDI, p < 0.05) were significantly higher among mothers of NBW. Correlation analyses revealed that MA (r = 0.119, p < 0.05), GA (r = 0.583, p < 0.01), PCDI (r = 0.118, p < 0.05), and Hb (r = 0.138, p < 0.05) were significantly positively correlated with BW; PCDI was also significantly positively correlated (r = 0.142, p < 0.01) with Hb. Stepwise regression analyses with BW as the dependent variable revealed that GA (t = 7.915, p < 0.001) and Hb (t = 2.057, p < 0.05) were the most important predictive variables. The effect of Hb, independent of GA, was statistically significant (change in F = 4.231, p < 0.05). Because GA is not modifiable in pregnant women, there is a need to increase Hb levels among pregnant mothers. Most importantly, appropriately targeted preventive strategies, including iron supplementation, need to be implemented for health promotion.

Biological Affinities Between Migrant and Parental Populations in Punjab, India

Abstract: In the present study, we have examined biological affinities between parental population, migrants from Pakistan after 1947 and non-Punjabi migrants from other states of India in Punjab. About 500 adult individuals of both sexes from 300 families among three groups were measured for 16 anthropometric and physiometric variables. Analysis of both univariate and multivariate suggests an overall significant migration effect in almost all variables especially anthropometric measurements between both sexes. The higher discrimination has been found in migrants from other states of India with reference to anthropometric traits as compared to other two populations. This is because of more genetic heterogeneity as would be expected from many states and many ethnicities of migrants. It was also found that the other two populations are more or less qualitatively similar, which reflects common ethnohistorical or geographic affiliations. However, overall, women showed a greater migration effect than men.

Nutritional Status of the Sekmai Children, Manipur

Abstract: This paper reports on nutritional status of 4 to 10 year-old Sekmai children. The Sekmais belong to a section of the Meiteis of Manipur. They are included in the scheduled caste list of the state. The study is based on height and weight of 731 children, 360 boys 371 girls. It aims to throw light on different conventional methods of nutritional assessments based on height and weight and their varied results. The Sekmai children are shorter in height and lighter in body weight from the American (National Center for Health Statistics) and Indian children in all the age groups. According to Waterlow’s classification of height for age, 43.37% of the Sekmai children are malnourished, whereas Gomez’s classification of weight for age shows 68.67% as malnourished of different grades. But if we look at the classification of Vishveshwara Rao and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics classification (IAPC), the Sekmai children’s nutritional status is not disappointing. Rao’s classification of height for age reveals 88.37% as normal while that of IAPC shows 71.70% as normal. Waterlow’s classification of weight for height also depicts 89.74% of the children as normal.

Comparison of the Somatic and Psychosexual Maturation in Menarcheal and Nonmenarcheal Girls

Abstract: This study reports on the relation between somatic and psychosexual development in 911 urban girls age 8 to 17 years. Subjects were examined by anthropometric and questionnaire methods. We compared the variability of somatic proportions and indexes in two groups of girls at the same age, but with different levels of maturation (menarcheal vs nonmenarcheal). We also assessed their attitudes and knowledge in spheres of sexuality, partners, and matrimonial relationships. We observed that menarcheal girls differed significantly for several anthropometrical values (body weight, sitting height, gluteal circumference, arm circumference) for some age groups, and we recorded significant differences in values of some indexes (Quetelet-Bouchard, Pignet-Vervaek, BMI). The psychosexual development of the girls was assessed by the questionnaire method. The girls were asked to explain various terms. The main aim of our questionnaire was to detect the existence of a relationship between somatic and psychosexual development, whether knowledge of menarcheal girls is more advanced than knowledge of nonmenarcheal girls. Our results show that although there is a significant somatic distinction between menarcheal and nonmenarcheal girls, we are not able to unambiguously state that menarcheal girls are more psychosexually developed.