The trend in declining age at menarche (AAM) largely continues while body size increases globally. The aim was to investigate trends in AAM, menstrual characteristics, and post-menarcheal anthropometric parameters in adolescents living in an urban area in Türkiye between 1999 and 2018.
Methods
Female adolescent high school students in the Manisa region were asked about menarche and socioeconomic status (SES). There were 1017 girls in the first study (1999–2001) and 1304 (2016–2018) in the second study. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Adolescent girls were grouped into three socioeconomic status (SES) groups based on parental education and occupation, and all parameters were evaluated using SES.
Results
The mean ± standard deviation for AAM in the first period was 12.82 ± 1.07 years and 12.83 ± 0.9 years in the second. AAM did not differ between the two periods nor between SES groups in either period. Post-menarcheal height, weight, and BMI increased in the second period compared to the first study and across all SES groups (p < 0.05). The whole group AAM was similar in both periods, only 3 months earlier in the second period than in the first period. However, the AAM in girls with a post-menarcheal BMI indicating being overweight or obese was significantly earlier than that of those with a normal post-menarcheal BMI in both periods (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Despite changing sociodemographic characteristics and an increasing trend in height, weight, and BMI in all socioeconomic groups, no change was observed in mean AAM in an urban region of Western Türkiye over 18 years. While the inverse relationship between BMI and postmenarcheal BMI continued in both periods, the decline in AAM became more pronounced over the years in the presence of high postmenarcheal BMI.
{"title":"Socioeconomic Status and Age at Menarche in Türkiye","authors":"Betül Ersoy, Nurcan Hanedan, Beyhan Özyurt","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24181","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24181","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The trend in declining age at menarche (AAM) largely continues while body size increases globally. The aim was to investigate trends in AAM, menstrual characteristics, and post-menarcheal anthropometric parameters in adolescents living in an urban area in Türkiye between 1999 and 2018.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Female adolescent high school students in the Manisa region were asked about menarche and socioeconomic status (SES). There were 1017 girls in the first study (1999–2001) and 1304 (2016–2018) in the second study. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Adolescent girls were grouped into three socioeconomic status (SES) groups based on parental education and occupation, and all parameters were evaluated using SES.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The mean ± standard deviation for AAM in the first period was 12.82 ± 1.07 years and 12.83 ± 0.9 years in the second. AAM did not differ between the two periods nor between SES groups in either period. Post-menarcheal height, weight, and BMI increased in the second period compared to the first study and across all SES groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The whole group AAM was similar in both periods, only 3 months earlier in the second period than in the first period. However, the AAM in girls with a post-menarcheal BMI indicating being overweight or obese was significantly earlier than that of those with a normal post-menarcheal BMI in both periods (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite changing sociodemographic characteristics and an increasing trend in height, weight, and BMI in all socioeconomic groups, no change was observed in mean AAM in an urban region of Western Türkiye over 18 years. While the inverse relationship between BMI and postmenarcheal BMI continued in both periods, the decline in AAM became more pronounced over the years in the presence of high postmenarcheal BMI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11669076/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142584912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of the study was to assess changes in waist and hip circumference, as well as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) indices among adolescents (11–15-year-olds) from the Kraków during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Cross-sectional studies were conducted in four main districts of the city in the years 2020 and 2022. The study group consisted of 1662 people. Measurements of height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were taken. The collected data were used to calculate the WHR and WHtR indices. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test, as well as the Kruskal–Wallis test, depending on the normality of distribution.
Results
An increase in hip circumference was observed in most age groups of both sexes. Among 14–15-year-old boys, an increase in waist circumference was observed, while among girls, the majority of cohorts showed the opposite trend. Additionally, in most age groups, a decrease in the values of WHR and WHtR indices was observed in both sexes, except for boys aged 14–15.
Conclusion
The study found that government-imposed restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, and WHtR indicators among adolescents aged 11–15 from Kraków. While some results showed regression, suggesting potential factors such as reduced physical activity or increased screen time contributing to deteriorating outcomes. On the other hand, not all results changed, which may be attributed to the absence of modifications in dietary habits or physical activity as government restrictions ceased.
{"title":"The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Waist and Hip Circumference and Selected Indicators Related to It Among Adolescents From the Kraków (Poland) Population","authors":"Paulina Artymiak, Magdalena Żegleń, Łukasz Kryst","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24182","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24182","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The aim of the study was to assess changes in waist and hip circumference, as well as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) indices among adolescents (11–15-year-olds) from the Kraków during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cross-sectional studies were conducted in four main districts of the city in the years 2020 and 2022. The study group consisted of 1662 people. Measurements of height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were taken. The collected data were used to calculate the WHR and WHtR indices. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test, as well as the Kruskal–Wallis test, depending on the normality of distribution.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An increase in hip circumference was observed in most age groups of both sexes. Among 14–15-year-old boys, an increase in waist circumference was observed, while among girls, the majority of cohorts showed the opposite trend. Additionally, in most age groups, a decrease in the values of WHR and WHtR indices was observed in both sexes, except for boys aged 14–15.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study found that government-imposed restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, and WHtR indicators among adolescents aged 11–15 from Kraków. While some results showed regression, suggesting potential factors such as reduced physical activity or increased screen time contributing to deteriorating outcomes. On the other hand, not all results changed, which may be attributed to the absence of modifications in dietary habits or physical activity as government restrictions ceased.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142569828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Linda Koníková, Grażyna Liczbińska, Miroslav Králík
Objectives
This study aims to explore the lasting effects of stress experienced by pregnant women during World War II (WWII) on body and head measurements of their adult daughters.
Methods
The research sample consists of 336 female university students born in Poland between 1925 and 1951. The data include body measurements and socioeconomic information (parental occupation and number of siblings) acquired from questionnaires collected between the 1950s and 1970s. Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney test and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze differences in body measurements between groups of women born before and during the war, as well as the possible influences of socioeconomic variables.
Results
The mean measurements of body height, symphysion height, and waist circumference were lower in women conceived and born during the war compared to those born in the pre-war period. In contrast, the mean measurements of biacromial (shoulder) width, trunk length, and three head dimensions were higher in women conceived and born during the war. Additionally, the number of siblings appeared to be a significant factor that may have influenced the body measurements of women in both groups. For instance, a higher number of living siblings, particularly sisters, was associated with reduced body dimensions, such as body height and waist circumference, while a greater number of deceased siblings was linked to an increase in certain body dimensions.
Conclusion
The results suggest that war-related prenatal conditions may have influenced the postnatal growth and development of women conceived and born during the war. Notably, the direction of these changes varied, which indicates that the growth response to the war-related conditions was a complex adaptation, reflecting both positive and negative changes in different body parts, rather than a uniform pattern of growth suppression.
{"title":"The Effects of War-Related Stress on Human Development: Differences in Body Proportions of Polish Women Born Before and During World War II","authors":"Linda Koníková, Grażyna Liczbińska, Miroslav Králík","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24175","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24175","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aims to explore the lasting effects of stress experienced by pregnant women during World War II (WWII) on body and head measurements of their adult daughters.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The research sample consists of 336 female university students born in Poland between 1925 and 1951. The data include body measurements and socioeconomic information (parental occupation and number of siblings) acquired from questionnaires collected between the 1950s and 1970s. Student's <i>t</i>-test, Mann–Whitney test and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze differences in body measurements between groups of women born before and during the war, as well as the possible influences of socioeconomic variables.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The mean measurements of body height, symphysion height, and waist circumference were lower in women conceived and born during the war compared to those born in the pre-war period. In contrast, the mean measurements of biacromial (shoulder) width, trunk length, and three head dimensions were higher in women conceived and born during the war. Additionally, the number of siblings appeared to be a significant factor that may have influenced the body measurements of women in both groups. For instance, a higher number of living siblings, particularly sisters, was associated with reduced body dimensions, such as body height and waist circumference, while a greater number of deceased siblings was linked to an increase in certain body dimensions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results suggest that war-related prenatal conditions may have influenced the postnatal growth and development of women conceived and born during the war. Notably, the direction of these changes varied, which indicates that the growth response to the war-related conditions was a complex adaptation, reflecting both positive and negative changes in different body parts, rather than a uniform pattern of growth suppression.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11669067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marina A. Negasheva, Olga A. Fedorchuk, Ainur A. Khafizova, Alla A. Movsesian
Objectives
A meta-analysis of diachronic changes in average height across Europe from the Mesolithic to the present, based on a broad range of literature sources.
Materials and Methods
The analysis of chronological height variability was based on skeletal remains (from the Mesolithic to the 19th century), from which height was reconstructed, and on data from living individuals measured from the late 19th to the early 21st century. In total, data from 73 skeletal series and 342 groups of modern populations, primarily from Eastern Europe, were analyzed. A regression analysis was performed using R to describe the patterns of variability.
Results
The findings indicate that height decreases during the Neolithic and remains relatively stable until the Medieval period. A decline in average height is observed during the High Medieval period. The Early Modern period marks a transition to the 20th century, during which there is a consistent increase in average height, most pronounced until the 1980s, after which the rate of increase slows slightly into the early 21st century. Temporal height variability in the European part of Russia shows regional differences.
Conclusions
The results suggest a wave-like pattern of trans-epochal changes in the somatic status of populations over an extended period, likely driven by various socioeconomic factors that dominated in different historical periods: the transition to agriculture, urbanization, political systems, industrial revolutions, and significant improvements in quality of life. Diachronic changes in height exhibit regional specificities, reflected in the variability of rates and magnitudes of secular gains across different regions and time periods.
{"title":"Diachronic Height Changes in Europe From the Mesolithic to the Present: Exploring Possible Causes and Regional Specificities","authors":"Marina A. Negasheva, Olga A. Fedorchuk, Ainur A. Khafizova, Alla A. Movsesian","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24176","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24176","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A meta-analysis of diachronic changes in average height across Europe from the Mesolithic to the present, based on a broad range of literature sources.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The analysis of chronological height variability was based on skeletal remains (from the Mesolithic to the 19th century), from which height was reconstructed, and on data from living individuals measured from the late 19th to the early 21st century. In total, data from 73 skeletal series and 342 groups of modern populations, primarily from Eastern Europe, were analyzed. A regression analysis was performed using <i>R</i> to describe the patterns of variability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings indicate that height decreases during the Neolithic and remains relatively stable until the Medieval period. A decline in average height is observed during the High Medieval period. The Early Modern period marks a transition to the 20th century, during which there is a consistent increase in average height, most pronounced until the 1980s, after which the rate of increase slows slightly into the early 21st century. Temporal height variability in the European part of Russia shows regional differences.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results suggest a wave-like pattern of trans-epochal changes in the somatic status of populations over an extended period, likely driven by various socioeconomic factors that dominated in different historical periods: the transition to agriculture, urbanization, political systems, industrial revolutions, and significant improvements in quality of life. Diachronic changes in height exhibit regional specificities, reflected in the variability of rates and magnitudes of secular gains across different regions and time periods.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142523602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlye Chaney, Lisandra Mansilla, Marcelina Kubica, Brismar Pinto-Pacheco, Kathryn Dunn, Victoria Bertacchi, Douglas I. Walker, Claudia Valeggia
Objective
Exposure to environmental contaminants is globally universal. However, communities vary in the specific combination of contaminants to which they are exposed, potentially contributing to variation in human health and creating “locally situated biologies.” We investigated how environmental exposures differ across environments by comparing exposure profiles between two contexts that differ markedly across political, economic, and sociocultural factors—Namqom, Formosa, Argentina, and New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
Methods
We collected infant urine, maternal urine, and human milk samples from mother–infant dyads in Formosa (n = 13) and New Haven (n = 21). We used untargeted liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to annotate environmental contaminants and endogenous metabolites in these samples, and we analyzed the data using exposome-wide association studies (EWAS) followed by pathway enrichment.
Results
We found statistically significant differences between the chemical exposure profiles of the Argentinian and US mothers, mostly involving pesticides; however, we observed similarities in the infant urine and human milk environmental contaminant profiles, suggesting that the maternal body may buffer infant exposure through human milk. We also found that infants and mothers were exposed to contaminants that were associated with alterations in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Infants additionally showed alterations in vitamin metabolism, including vitamins B1, B3, and B6.
Conclusions
Differences in chemical exposure profiles may be related to structural factors. Despite variation in the composition of exposure profiles between the two study sites, environmental contaminant exposure was associated with similar patterns in human physiology when we considered contaminants comprehensively rather than individually, with implications for metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk as well as infant cognitive development.
{"title":"Contaminant Exposure Profiles Demonstrate Similar Physiological Effects Across Environments Despite Unique Profile Composition in Formosa, Argentina, and Connecticut, USA","authors":"Carlye Chaney, Lisandra Mansilla, Marcelina Kubica, Brismar Pinto-Pacheco, Kathryn Dunn, Victoria Bertacchi, Douglas I. Walker, Claudia Valeggia","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24178","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24178","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Exposure to environmental contaminants is globally universal. However, communities vary in the specific combination of contaminants to which they are exposed, potentially contributing to variation in human health and creating “locally situated biologies.” We investigated how environmental exposures differ across environments by comparing exposure profiles between two contexts that differ markedly across political, economic, and sociocultural factors—Namqom, Formosa, Argentina, and New Haven, Connecticut, United States.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We collected infant urine, maternal urine, and human milk samples from mother–infant dyads in Formosa (<i>n</i> = 13) and New Haven (<i>n</i> = 21). We used untargeted liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to annotate environmental contaminants and endogenous metabolites in these samples, and we analyzed the data using exposome-wide association studies (EWAS) followed by pathway enrichment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found statistically significant differences between the chemical exposure profiles of the Argentinian and US mothers, mostly involving pesticides; however, we observed similarities in the infant urine and human milk environmental contaminant profiles, suggesting that the maternal body may buffer infant exposure through human milk. We also found that infants and mothers were exposed to contaminants that were associated with alterations in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Infants additionally showed alterations in vitamin metabolism, including vitamins B1, B3, and B6.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Differences in chemical exposure profiles may be related to structural factors. Despite variation in the composition of exposure profiles between the two study sites, environmental contaminant exposure was associated with similar patterns in human physiology when we considered contaminants comprehensively rather than individually, with implications for metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk as well as infant cognitive development.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Volney K. Friedrich, Morgan K. Hoke, Thedore G. Schurr
Invasive biological samples collected during clinical care represent a valuable yet underutilized source of information about human biology. However, the challenges of working with clinical personnel and the invasive nature of sample collection in biomedical studies can hinder the acquisition of sufficiently large sample sizes for robust statistical analyses. In addition, the incorporation of demographic data from participants is crucial for ensuring the inclusiveness of representative populations, identifying at-risk groups, and addressing healthcare disparities. Drawing on both research experiences and the existing literature, this article provides recommendations for researchers aiming to undertake efficient and impactful projects involving invasive human samples. The suggested strategies include: (1) establishing productive collaborations with clinicians; (2) optimizing sample quality through meticulous collection and handling procedures; and (3) strategically implementing a retrospective model to capitalize on existing invasive sample repositories. When established, cooperative work between clinical health care workers and biological anthropologists can yield insights into human biology that have the potential to improve human health and wellbeing.
{"title":"Conducting Human Biology Research Using Invasive Clinical Samples: Methods, Strengths, and Limitations","authors":"Volney K. Friedrich, Morgan K. Hoke, Thedore G. Schurr","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24170","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24170","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Invasive biological samples collected during clinical care represent a valuable yet underutilized source of information about human biology. However, the challenges of working with clinical personnel and the invasive nature of sample collection in biomedical studies can hinder the acquisition of sufficiently large sample sizes for robust statistical analyses. In addition, the incorporation of demographic data from participants is crucial for ensuring the inclusiveness of representative populations, identifying at-risk groups, and addressing healthcare disparities. Drawing on both research experiences and the existing literature, this article provides recommendations for researchers aiming to undertake efficient and impactful projects involving invasive human samples. The suggested strategies include: (1) establishing productive collaborations with clinicians; (2) optimizing sample quality through meticulous collection and handling procedures; and (3) strategically implementing a retrospective model to capitalize on existing invasive sample repositories. When established, cooperative work between clinical health care workers and biological anthropologists can yield insights into human biology that have the potential to improve human health and wellbeing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Previous research using anthropometric data from the west coast of Ireland in the late 19th century showed that two island populations, the Aran Islands and Inishbofin, were phenotypically divergent from the mainland and more similar to England, a pattern consistent with historical evidence for English admixture. The present study extends these analyses by including data from two other island populations in the region that do not have a history of English admixture.
Materials and Methods
Data were taken from published sources for six west coast Irish populations measured in the 1890s: two mainland groups (Connemara and Erris) and four island populations (the Aran Islands, Clare Island, Inishbofin, and the Inishkea Islands). The anthropometric data consist of 13 measures on 317 males. Mahalanobis distances among the six populations were derived as well as distances to a mean based on English anthropometric data.
Results
The two island populations with a history of likely English admixture following the garrisoning of English soldiers in previous centuries were the most divergent from the Irish mainland and most similar to the English mean. The other two island populations (Clare Island and the Inishkea Islands) did not have a history of English admixture and were most similar to the Irish mainland.
Discussion
The different patterns of anthropometric similarity among the four island populations show different population histories and support earlier studies suggesting differential English admixture as a factor in the population structure of the region.
{"title":"Population History and Anthropometric Variation of West Coast Irish Islands","authors":"John H. Relethford","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24177","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24177","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Previous research using anthropometric data from the west coast of Ireland in the late 19th century showed that two island populations, the Aran Islands and Inishbofin, were phenotypically divergent from the mainland and more similar to England, a pattern consistent with historical evidence for English admixture. The present study extends these analyses by including data from two other island populations in the region that do not have a history of English admixture.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data were taken from published sources for six west coast Irish populations measured in the 1890s: two mainland groups (Connemara and Erris) and four island populations (the Aran Islands, Clare Island, Inishbofin, and the Inishkea Islands). The anthropometric data consist of 13 measures on 317 males. Mahalanobis distances among the six populations were derived as well as distances to a mean based on English anthropometric data.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The two island populations with a history of likely English admixture following the garrisoning of English soldiers in previous centuries were the most divergent from the Irish mainland and most similar to the English mean. The other two island populations (Clare Island and the Inishkea Islands) did not have a history of English admixture and were most similar to the Irish mainland.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The different patterns of anthropometric similarity among the four island populations show different population histories and support earlier studies suggesting differential English admixture as a factor in the population structure of the region.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Srishti Sadhir, Amanda McGrosky, Leslie B. Ford, Rosemary Nzunza, Sylvia N. Wemanya, Husna Mashaka, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Emmanuel Ndiema, David R. Braun, Asher Y. Rosinger, Herman Pontzer
Objectives
In subsistence populations, high physical activity is typically maintained throughout pregnancy. Market integration shifts activity patterns to resemble industrialized populations, with more time allocated to sedentary behavior. Daasanach semi-nomadic pastoralists living in northern Kenya face lifestyle heterogeneity due to the emergence of a market center. We investigate how Daasanach women manage the energetic demands of pregnancy with subsistence labor tasks and how market integration relates to variation in energetic demands, physical activity, and coping strategies.
Methods
We conducted nine focus group discussions with 72 pregnant women. We also deployed wrist-worn fitness trackers with 21 pregnant women in two community types: central or peripheral to the market center to capture variation in market integration. Data from focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis. We used multiple linear regression to examine the relationship between gestational age and physical activity.
Results
We identified themes of increased fatigue, diet restrictions, and assistance with labor tasks during pregnancy. Gestational age negatively predicted mean daily steps, with a decrease of 1160 ± 437 steps per day with each consecutive pregnancy month. Stratified by community type, gestational age only negatively predicted mean daily steps for peripheral communities, with a decrease of 1443 ± 629 steps per day with each consecutive pregnancy month.
Conclusions
Results suggest that physical activity differs with market integration early, but not late, in pregnancy. Daasanach women cope with the energetic demands of pregnancy by reducing physical activity late in pregnancy and receiving assistance with labor tasks from family and neighbors.
{"title":"Physical Activity and Pregnancy Norms Among Daasanach Semi-Nomadic Pastoralist Women in Northern Kenya","authors":"Srishti Sadhir, Amanda McGrosky, Leslie B. Ford, Rosemary Nzunza, Sylvia N. Wemanya, Husna Mashaka, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Emmanuel Ndiema, David R. Braun, Asher Y. Rosinger, Herman Pontzer","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24174","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24174","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In subsistence populations, high physical activity is typically maintained throughout pregnancy. Market integration shifts activity patterns to resemble industrialized populations, with more time allocated to sedentary behavior. Daasanach semi-nomadic pastoralists living in northern Kenya face lifestyle heterogeneity due to the emergence of a market center. We investigate how Daasanach women manage the energetic demands of pregnancy with subsistence labor tasks and how market integration relates to variation in energetic demands, physical activity, and coping strategies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted nine focus group discussions with 72 pregnant women. We also deployed wrist-worn fitness trackers with 21 pregnant women in two community types: central or peripheral to the market center to capture variation in market integration. Data from focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis. We used multiple linear regression to examine the relationship between gestational age and physical activity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We identified themes of increased fatigue, diet restrictions, and assistance with labor tasks during pregnancy. Gestational age negatively predicted mean daily steps, with a decrease of 1160 ± 437 steps per day with each consecutive pregnancy month. Stratified by community type, gestational age only negatively predicted mean daily steps for peripheral communities, with a decrease of 1443 ± 629 steps per day with each consecutive pregnancy month.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results suggest that physical activity differs with market integration early, but not late, in pregnancy. Daasanach women cope with the energetic demands of pregnancy by reducing physical activity late in pregnancy and receiving assistance with labor tasks from family and neighbors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jason Bonham, Ryan Schacht, Ken Smith, Tim A. Bruckner
Objectives
The secondary sex ratio (i.e., the ratio of male to female live births; hereafter referred to as the SSR) falls in populations encountering ambient stressors. Much theory and some empirical work indicates that males born to low SSR cohorts may be “positively selected” in that excess culling in utero may correspond with greater than expected survival among live-born males in that cohort. We extend prior work by testing, in historical Utah, whether the SSR varies positively with male mortality at pre-reproductive ages.
Methods
This study uses detailed records from the Utah Population Database to focus on Utahns born 1850–1940. We use rigorous time-series methods, which control for strong secular declines in mortality as well as ambient perturbations shared equally among males and females, to investigate the male culling inference.
Results
We observe a positive relation between the SSR and male mortality during youth (i.e., 5 to < 20 years; p < 0.05) but not in infancy or early childhood.
Conclusions
In this historical population, the SSR appears to gauge hardiness of surviving male cohorts. However, whether the high fertility and/or family structure context of Latter-day Saints in historical Utah explains the age-specific pattern of male mortality warrants further scrutiny.
目标在遭遇环境压力的种群中，第二性别比（即雄性与雌性活产儿的比率，以下简称 SSR）会下降。许多理论和一些实证研究表明，低 SSR 群体中出生的雄性可能会被 "正向选择"，因为子宫内的过度淘汰可能会导致该群体中活产雄性的存活率高于预期。我们通过在历史悠久的犹他州检验 SSR 是否与生殖前年龄段的男性死亡率呈正相关，从而扩展了之前的研究工作：本研究使用犹他州人口数据库的详细记录，重点研究 1850-1940 年出生的犹他州人。我们采用严格的时间序列方法，控制了死亡率的强周期性下降以及男性和女性均摊的环境扰动，以研究男性剔除推论：结果：我们观察到 SSR 与青年时期（即 5 岁至 6 岁）的男性死亡率呈正相关：在这一历史人群中，SSR 似乎可以衡量幸存男性群体的耐受力。然而，历史上犹他州后期圣徒的高生育率和/或家庭结构是否可以解释特定年龄段的男性死亡率模式，还需要进一步研究。
{"title":"The Secondary Sex Ratio and Male Mortality at Pre-Reproductive Ages: A Test of Selection In Utero","authors":"Jason Bonham, Ryan Schacht, Ken Smith, Tim A. Bruckner","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24173","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.24173","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The secondary sex ratio (i.e., the ratio of male to female live births; hereafter referred to as the SSR) falls in populations encountering ambient stressors. Much theory and some empirical work indicates that males born to low SSR cohorts may be “positively selected” in that excess culling in utero may correspond with greater than expected survival among live-born males in that cohort. We extend prior work by testing, in historical Utah, whether the SSR varies positively with male mortality at pre-reproductive ages.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study uses detailed records from the Utah Population Database to focus on Utahns born 1850–1940. We use rigorous time-series methods, which control for strong secular declines in mortality as well as ambient perturbations shared equally among males and females, to investigate the male culling inference.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We observe a positive relation between the SSR and male mortality during youth (i.e., 5 to < 20 years; <i>p</i> < 0.05) but not in infancy or early childhood.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this historical population, the SSR appears to gauge hardiness of surviving male cohorts. However, whether the high fertility and/or family structure context of Latter-day Saints in historical Utah explains the age-specific pattern of male mortality warrants further scrutiny.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<p>On July 3rd, 2024, the world lost a true pioneer and leader in the fields of human biology and biological anthropology when Dr. Michael H. Crawford passed away at the age of 84. Dr. Crawford is widely regarded as one of the founders of the field of anthropological genetics (Figure 1). His pioneering work over a career of more than 50 years transformed our understanding of the origin and nature of human diversity (Crawford <span>2024</span>). Michael influenced the field of human biology in a number of ways—through his innovative research, his skill as a graduate mentor, his work as Editor-in-Chief of the journal <i>Human Biology</i>, and his leadership within the Human Biology Association.</p><p>Michael was born on July 25th, 1939, in Shanghai, China, the son of Russian and Scottish American expatriates. According to some estimates, the Russian population in Shanghai during the 1930s topped 30 000, swelled by an influx of refugees from the Russian Revolution. Michael's early years in Shanghai are best captured by the well-known Chinese adage: “May you live in interesting times.”</p><p>After the Second World War, Mao Zedong's rise to power in China ushered in a period when foreigners were no longer welcome. In 1948, Michael, his parents, and his sister were evacuated to an uninhabited island in the Philippines. Many evacuees from China died while waiting to be relocated, but the Crawfords survived and, in 1949, were accepted by Australia, moving first to Canberra before eventually settling in Sydney. Three years later, the family emigrated to the United States—an epic journey that took them through Fiji, Hawaii, and Canada—before ultimately ending up in Seattle, Washington when Michael was 12.</p><p>In Seattle, the precocious young world-traveler graduated from O'Dea Catholic School in 1956 at the age of 16, and then entered the University of Washington, where he studied anthropology and biology. Michael received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1960, and continued on at UW, receiving his Master's degree in biological anthropology in 1965 and his PhD in 1967. Michael's dissertation research was on primate genetics and phylogeny, with a doctoral committee that included Arno Motulsky and Marshall T. Newman. In addition, during his graduate training, Michael was also strongly influenced by Derek Roberts, working with Roberts as a teaching assistant.</p><p>Michael's competitive spirit was established early as he excelled at both soccer and tennis while a student at Washington, continuing to play both long after his school days. His drive for academic productivity and excellence was also established early. His first publication, based on his doctoral research, was a single authored paper published in <i>Science</i>.</p><p>After receiving his PhD from Washington, Michael accepted a position in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, where he taught from 1967 to 1971. In 1971, Michael joined the Anthro
{"title":"In Memoriam: Michael H. Crawford (1939–2024)","authors":"William R. Leonard, Dennis H. O'Rourke","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.24171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.24171","url":null,"abstract":"<p>On July 3rd, 2024, the world lost a true pioneer and leader in the fields of human biology and biological anthropology when Dr. Michael H. Crawford passed away at the age of 84. Dr. Crawford is widely regarded as one of the founders of the field of anthropological genetics (Figure 1). His pioneering work over a career of more than 50 years transformed our understanding of the origin and nature of human diversity (Crawford <span>2024</span>). Michael influenced the field of human biology in a number of ways—through his innovative research, his skill as a graduate mentor, his work as Editor-in-Chief of the journal <i>Human Biology</i>, and his leadership within the Human Biology Association.</p><p>Michael was born on July 25th, 1939, in Shanghai, China, the son of Russian and Scottish American expatriates. According to some estimates, the Russian population in Shanghai during the 1930s topped 30 000, swelled by an influx of refugees from the Russian Revolution. Michael's early years in Shanghai are best captured by the well-known Chinese adage: “May you live in interesting times.”</p><p>After the Second World War, Mao Zedong's rise to power in China ushered in a period when foreigners were no longer welcome. In 1948, Michael, his parents, and his sister were evacuated to an uninhabited island in the Philippines. Many evacuees from China died while waiting to be relocated, but the Crawfords survived and, in 1949, were accepted by Australia, moving first to Canberra before eventually settling in Sydney. Three years later, the family emigrated to the United States—an epic journey that took them through Fiji, Hawaii, and Canada—before ultimately ending up in Seattle, Washington when Michael was 12.</p><p>In Seattle, the precocious young world-traveler graduated from O'Dea Catholic School in 1956 at the age of 16, and then entered the University of Washington, where he studied anthropology and biology. Michael received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1960, and continued on at UW, receiving his Master's degree in biological anthropology in 1965 and his PhD in 1967. Michael's dissertation research was on primate genetics and phylogeny, with a doctoral committee that included Arno Motulsky and Marshall T. Newman. In addition, during his graduate training, Michael was also strongly influenced by Derek Roberts, working with Roberts as a teaching assistant.</p><p>Michael's competitive spirit was established early as he excelled at both soccer and tennis while a student at Washington, continuing to play both long after his school days. His drive for academic productivity and excellence was also established early. His first publication, based on his doctoral research, was a single authored paper published in <i>Science</i>.</p><p>After receiving his PhD from Washington, Michael accepted a position in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, where he taught from 1967 to 1971. In 1971, Michael joined the Anthro","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.24171","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143118539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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