American Journal of Human Biology最新文献

Background and objectives: Caste division and socioeconomic deprivation among marginalized communities in Indian Hindu society, since the pre-independence period, necessitate further investigation into the inequality in undernutrition prevalence between upper caste (UC) and marginalized children. This study aims to estimate the gap in overall undernutrition prevalence between UC and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) children in traditional Hindu society from 2005 to 2021. Additionally, it seeks to quantify the contributions of various factors-including child, maternal, household, and regional backgrounds-in explaining the gap of undernutrition between UC and marginalized children over the past 15 years.

Methods: The study employed three rounds of the National Family Health Survey Data (NFHS-3, 4, and 5) and estimated the prevalence of undernutrition using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF). The Fairlie decomposition method was utilized to estimate persisting inequality and quantified contributions of different background variables in explaining the inequality between UC and SC/ST children in the prevalence of CIAF.

Results: Although the CIAF gap between Hindu UC and SC/ST children has declined from 2005-2006 to 2019-2021, it remains substantial, falling from 19.28% to 14.67% points between Hindu UC and SC, and from 22.46% to 18.42% points between Hindu UC and ST from 2005-2006 to 2019-2021. The influence of background variables in explaining the CIAF gap between Hindu UC and SC/ST children has declined from 2005-2006 to 2019-2021, indicating an increasing impact of unmeasured determinants over time. This study also highlights the substantial roles of household socioeconomic status, maternal education, household WASH conditions, child anemia levels, and birth order in explaining the CIAF gap between Hindu UC and SC/ST children over the past decade.

Conclusions: The outcome of the study suggests interventians to reduce socioeconomic inequality between UC and SC/ST sections and adequate measures to improve mothers' education level, household WASH conditions, and childhood anemia among marginalized sections for reducing inter-group differences in the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in India.

Objective: In Mexico, two-thirds of the adult population are overweight and almost a quarter are affected by obesity. These high obesity rates are primarily attributed to low-nutrient, high-calorie diets, reduced physical activity, and to a certain extent, genetic factors. Most genetic variants for obesity risk have been identified through studies based predominantly on European populations. This study examines the roles of subcontinental ancestry, genetic polymorphisms, and socio-environmental factors in anthropometric measures within an admixed Mexican population.

Methods: We analyzed a sample of 1195 adult volunteers from the CANDELA consortium. Regression models were used to assess the influence of subcontinental Native American ancestries, socioeconomic level (education and SES), and genetic background on body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were constructed for each index using established alleles.

Results: An increase in obesity indices was significantly associated with a higher proportion of Native American ancestry, particularly waist-to-hip ratio. Polygenic risk scores were significantly associated with all indices, with BMI showing the highest risk. The effect of obesity scores was not influenced by ancestry on any of the evaluated indices, although the average frequency of risk alleles was slightly inversely correlated with higher Native American ancestry content.

Conclusions: This study highlights the challenges of assessing genetic predisposition to complex disease in admixed populations, where numerous factors contribute to observed differences, emphasizing the need to consider regional genetic diversity in obesity research.

Objective: Global reproductive transitions are well documented, yet less is known about how neighboring populations with divergent histories and exposure to market integration (MI) experience them. This study examines how sociocultural and economic proxies of MI predict variation in reproductive outcomes among indigenous Shuar and nonindigenous Ecuadorian mestizos (Colonos) from Amazonian Ecuador, focusing on menarcheal age, age at first birth, parity, breastfeeding duration, and contraceptive use.

Methods: Reproductive histories were collected from 360 Shuar and 205 Colono women (ages 15-90) between 2008 and 2014. General linear and Poisson regression models were used to assess effects of ethnicity, birth cohort, and MI indices (household-, market-, traditional-style-of-life) on reproductive outcomes; logistic regression determined predictors of contraceptive use.

Results: Shuar women experience earlier age at first birth (p ≤ 0.05) and higher parity (p ≤ 0.001) with little secular change. However, within more market-integrated Shuar households, earlier menarche (p = 0.04), and lower parity (p ≤ 0.001) were documented. By contrast, Colonos show secular increases in age at first birth and declines in parity (both p ≤ 0.05). In both populations, breastfeeding duration decreases over time (p = 0.006) and higher contraceptive use is associated with more market-integrated households (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Reproductive transitions in Amazonian Ecuador unfold at differing rates, reflecting different histories and degrees of MI. Colonos show clear secular shifts characteristic of reproductive transitions, whereas Shuar show emerging transitions only among more market-integrated households. Results support the context-specific nature of reproductive transitions and highlight value in disaggregated analyses to understand their dynamics.

Introduction: Fertility and child mortality remain critical public health and development concerns in Pakistan, reflecting deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities at the household level. This narrative review synthesizes empirical evidence on patterns of child fertility and mortality and examines the socioeconomic, demographic, and contextual factors shaping these outcomes in Pakistan.

Methods: A design to synthesize empirical evidence on the following established narrative review guidelines, peer-reviewed studies published over the past two decades were identified through major academic databases, including those focusing on fertility behavior, child survival, and household-level determinants.

Finding: Gender norms, son preference, and women's autonomy also emerge as significant contributors influencing reproductive decision-making and child health outcomes. Furthermore, regional inequalities and limited utilization of maternal and child healthcare services exacerbate risks among socioeconomically disadvantaged households. The findings underscore the interconnected nature of fertility behavior and child survival within broader structural and sociocultural contexts. The reviewed literature consistently demonstrates that child mortality and child fertility rates are strongly associated with household socioeconomic conditions, particularly parental education, household wealth status, maternal employment, place of residence, and access to health services.

Conclusion: This review highlights the need for integrated policy interventions that address socioeconomic inequalities, strengthen maternal and child health systems, and promote female education and empowerment to achieve sustained improvements in child survival and fertility regulation in Pakistan.

Objectives: Changes in the timing of puberty may reflect shifts in population health, including the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the longitudinal association between body mass index (BMI) in childhood and pubertal development 5 years later among Brazilian students.

Methods: This longitudinal study included 494 students aged 7-10 years. Data were collected in 2007 and 2012. BMI z-scores were calculated. Pubertal development was self-assessed using Tanner stages, and girls reported age at menarche. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the effects of the 2007 BMI on sexual maturation (SM) in 2012, adjusting for socioeconomic status (SES), birth weight, breastfeeding, physical activity, and dietary patterns (DP).

Results: No statistically significant association between BMI and SM was observed in either sex. Among boys, higher adherence to DP IV (milk, coffee with milk, cheese, breads/biscuits) (β = -0.21) and higher SES (β = -0.21) were associated with normal/late SM. Among girls, a higher 2007 BMI z-score (β = -0.27) had a direct negative effect on age at menarche, while DP II (ultra-processed foods) showed an indirect negative effect on age at menarche, mediated by the 2007 BMI z-score (β = -0.05).

Conclusions: This study found that in girls, higher childhood BMI was associated with an earlier age at menarche. In boys, DP IV and SES were associated with normal/late SM. These findings highlight the significance of monitoring puberty timing at the population level and the need for sex-sensitive, prospective research to elucidate the determinants of earlier puberty, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

The research field of reproductive ecology continues to be a major contributor to the scientific advancement of evolutionary anthropology and human biology in general. Primary contributions to human evolutionary biology include a greater understanding of the physiological mechanisms that manage lifetime reproductive effort, resource allocation, life history trade-offs, demographic variation in fertility, the adaptive traits that define humans (Homo sapiens), non-human primates, and our hominid ancestors as well as novel insights into reproductive health challenges such as cancer. Here we present a brief overview of the foundation on which this research path is based, including a summary of current research advances in human reproductive ecology, particularly within the scope of human variation. Future research directions, unanswered questions, and engagement with reproductive health challenges are discussed.

Objectives: To compare body composition and physical fitness indicators among non-urbanized rural Rarámuri (NURR), urbanized Rarámuri (UR), and urban Mestizo (MEST) populations, and to analyze the influence of urbanization on health-related physical performance.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chihuahua, Mexico (n = 171; 84 men, 87 women). Anthropometric and functional assessments followed the ISAK and YMCA protocols, which included BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, push-ups, sit-ups, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Classifications were based on WHO and YMCA reference standards. Statistical differences were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05).

Results: Urbanization was associated with a progressive increase in adiposity and a decline in aerobic capacity. Participants from UR and MEST groups exhibited higher body weight, BMI, and body fat percentage compared to those in the NURR group (p < 0.05), as well as lower VO₂max and functional endurance. Waist circumference revealed a greater distribution of metabolic risk among UR and MEST participants, while the NURR group maintained a leaner and metabolically efficient phenotype.

Conclusions: The findings highlight a clear biocultural transition: as traditional physical activity patterns erode, physiological efficiency and cardiometabolic health deteriorate. The Rarámuri case exemplifies how urbanization induces functional regression rather than adaptation, underscoring the importance of preserving indigenous mobility and physical culture as key components of public health and cultural identity.

Objectives: Emotional intelligence is crucial for young athletes, affecting their psychosocial well-being and performance. Biological development, which includes physiological changes, is also important for athletes, affecting their physical abilities. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between biological age and emotional intelligence in young athletes.

Methods: The study group consisted of 65 young swimmers aged 12-14 from Kraków (Poland). The Popular Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (PIKE) was used to assess emotional intelligence, and the study of biological age was conducted and calculated by an experienced anthropologist. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to examine the relationship between variables.

Results: For girls, correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between biological age and the scale of accepting, expressing and using one's emotions in action. Statistical analysis also showed a significant correlation between calendar age and the scale of accepting, expressing and using one's own emotions in action for the entire sample.

Conclusion: The study focused on analyzing the relationship between age, biological age and results on the Popular Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (PIKE) in participants of different age groups. Key findings include significant correlations between age and emotional intelligence, particularly in the context of controlling one's own emotions (KON) and accepting, expressing and using one's emotions in action (AKC).