Height of non-Hispanic white adults with homeostatic iron regulator HFE genotypes p.C282Y/p.C282Y and wt/wt.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate height in white adults with hemochromatosis. METHODS: We analyzed the height of (1) post-screening examination participants with HFE p.C282Y/p.C282Y (rs1800562) and wt/wt (absence of p.C282Y and p.H63D (rs1799945)) and (2) referred hemochromatosis probands with p.C282Y/p.C282Y. RESULTS: There were 762 participants (270 p.C282Y/p.C282Y, 492 wt/wt; 343 men, 419 women) and 180 probands (104 men, 76 women). Median height of male participants with p.C282Y/p.C282Y or wt/wt was 177.8 cm. Median height of female participants was greater in those with p.C282Y/p.C282Y than wt/wt (165.1 cm vs 162.6 cm, respectively; p = 0.0298). Median height of p.C282Y/p.C282Y participants and probands was the same (men 177.8 cm; women 165.1 cm). Regressions on height of male and female participants revealed no associations with HFE genotype and inverse and positive associations with age and weight, respectively. Height of female participants was positively and inversely associated with transferrin saturation and serum ferritin, respectively. Regressions on height of male and female probands revealed positive associations with weight. CONCLUSIONS: The height of men with HFE p.C282Y/p.C282Y and wt/wt does not differ significantly. The height of female participants was greater in those with p.C282Y/p.C282Y than wt/wt. We found no independent association of HFE genotype with the height of men or women.

Regional differences in short stature in England between 2006 and 2019: A cross-sectional analysis from the National Child Measurement Programme.

BACKGROUND: Short stature, defined as height for age more than 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the population median, is an important indicator of child health. Short stature (often termed stunting) has been widely researched in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but less is known about the extent and burden in high-income settings. We aimed to map the prevalence of short stature in children aged 4-5 years in England between 2006 and 2019. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We used data from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for the school years 2006-2007 to 2018-2019. All children attending state-maintained primary schools in England are invited to participate in the NCMP, and heights from a total of 7,062,071 children aged 4-5 years were analysed. We assessed short stature, defined as a height-for-age standard deviation score (SDS) below -2 using the United Kingdom WHO references, by sex, index of multiple deprivation (IMD), ethnicity, and region. Geographic clustering of short stature was analysed using spatial analysis in SaTScan. The prevalence of short stature in England was 1.93% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92-1.94). Ethnicity adjusted spatial analyses showed geographic heterogeneity of short stature, with high prevalence clusters more likely in the North and Midlands, leading to 4-fold variation between local authorities (LAs) with highest and lowest prevalence of short stature. Short stature was linearly associated with IMD, with almost 2-fold higher prevalence in the most compared with least deprived decile (2.56% (2.53-2.59) vs. 1.38% (1.35-1.41)). There was ethnic heterogeneity: Short stature prevalence was lowest in Black children (0.64% (0.61-0.67)) and highest in Indian children (2.52% (2.45-2.60)) and children in other ethnic categories (2.57% (2.51-2.64)). Girls were more likely to have short stature than boys (2.09% (2.07-2.10) vs. 1.77% (1.76-1.78), respectively). Short stature prevalence declined over time, from 2.03% (2.01-2.05) in 2006-2010 to 1.82% (1.80-1.84) in 2016-2019. Short stature declined at all levels of area deprivation, with faster declines in more deprived areas, but disparities by IMD quintile were persistent. This study was conducted cross-sectionally at an area level, and, therefore, we cannot make any inferences about the individual causes of short stature. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed a clear social gradient and striking regional variation in short stature across England, including a North-South divide. These findings provide impetus for further investigation into potential socioeconomic influences on height and the factors underlying regional variation.

Allele frequency differentiation at height-associated SNPs among continental human populations.

Methods to detect polygenic adaptation have recently been shown to be sensitive to uncorrected stratification in GWAS, thereby casting doubts on whether polygenic adaptation is prevalent among humans. Consistent with a signal of adaptation at human height loci, the mean FST among African, East Asian, and European populations was shown to be significantly higher at height-associated SNPs than that at non-associated SNPs. This conclusion was reached, however, using height-associated SNPs ascertained from a GWAS design impacted by residual confounding due to uncorrected stratification. Specifically, we show here that the estimated effect sizes are significantly correlated with population structure across continents, potentially explaining the elevated differentiation previously reported. We alleviated these concerns of confounding by ascertaining height-associated SNPs from two biobank GWAS (UK Biobank, UKB, and Biobank Japan, BBJ), where measures to control for confounding in GWAS are more effective. Consistent with a global signature of polygenic adaptation, we found that compared to non-associated SNPs, frequencies of height-associated SNPs are indeed significantly more differentiated among continental populations from both the 1000 Genomes Project (p = 0.0012 for UKB and p = 0.0265 for BBJ), and the Human Genome Diversity Project (p = 0.0225 for UKB and p = 0.0032 for BBJ). However, we found no significant difference among continental populations in polygenic height scores. Through simulations, we found that polygenic score-based statistics could lose power in detecting polygenic adaptation in presence of independent converging selections, thereby potentially explaining the inconsistent results based on FST and polygenic scores.

Sex, population origin, age and average digit length as predictors of digit ratio in three large world populations.

Recently, a number of authors have claimed that sexual dimorphism in the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is simply dependent on digit length and is an artifact of allometry. The goal of our study is to verify the validity of these assumptions. The study sample comprised 7,582 individuals (3,802 men and 3,780 women) from three large world populations: Europeans (n = 3043), East Africans (n = 2844), and Central Asians (n = 1695). The lengths of the second and fourth digits on both hands were measured. Digit ratios were computed according to standard procedures. Analyses were conducted separately for each hand for the whole sample and in succession for the three large populations. Additionally, we separately tested four age cohorts (≤ 13, 14-18, 19-30, and 31 ≥ years) to test the effect of developmental allometry. The second and fourth digits showed strong positive linear relationships on both hands, and demonstrated an increase with age; digit length in women from the youngest age cohort was longer or equal to that of men, and shorter than men in older age cohorts. However, the 2D:4D magnitude and its sexual dimorphism remained stable throughout the ontogeny. To test for an allometric effect on 2D:4D, the average digit lengths were calculated. Both sex and population origin were permanent reliable predictors of 2D:4D, whereas average digit length was not. Height was applied as another measure of allometric effect on the limited sample (≤ 30 years) from the European population, along with sex and age. No allometric effect was observed in this case. We conclude that sex differences in 2D:4D are not an artifact of allometry.

Individualized sex-specific birth weight percentiles for gestational age based on maternal height and weight.

OBJECTIVES: The maternal body size affects birth weight. The impact on birth weight percentiles is unknown. The objective of the study was to develop birth weight percentiles based on maternal height and weight. METHODS: This observational study analyzed 2.2 million singletons from the German Perinatal Survey. Data were stratified into 18 maternal height and weight groups. Sex-specific birth weight percentiles were calculated from 31 to 42 weeks and compared to percentiles from the complete dataset using the GAMLSS package for R statistics. RESULTS: Birth weight percentiles not considering maternal size showed 22% incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) and 2% incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) for the subgroup of newborns from petite mothers, compared to a 4% SGA and 26% LGA newborns from big mothers. The novel percentiles based on 18 groups stratified by maternal height and weight for both sexes showed significant differences between identical original percentiles. The differences were up to almost 800 g between identical percentiles for petite and big mothers. The 97th and 50th percentile from the group of petite mothers almost overlap with the 50th and 3rd percentile from the group of big mothers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clinically significant difference in birth weight percentiles when stratified by maternal height and weight. It could be hypothesized that birth weight charts stratified by maternal anthropometry could provide higher specificity and more individual prediction of perinatal risks. The new percentiles may be used to evaluate estimated fetal as well as birth weight.

Height of Male Prisoners in Santiago de Chile during the Nitrate Era: The Penalty of being Unskilled, Illiterate, Illegitimate and Mapuche.

This article contributes to the study of inequality in the biological welfare of Chile's adult population during the nitrate era, ca. 1880s-1930s, and in particular focuses on the impact of socioeconomic variables on height, making use of a sample of over 20,000 male inmates of the capital's main jail. It shows that inmates with a university degree were taller than the rest; that those born legitimate were taller in adulthood; that those (Chilean born) whose surnames were Northern European were also taller than the rest, and in particular than those with Mapuche background; and that those able to read and write were also taller than illiterate inmates. Conditional regression analysis, examining both correlates at the mean and correlates across the height distribution, supports these findings. We show that there was more height inequality in the population according to socioeconomic status and human capital than previously thought, while also confirming the importance of socioeconomic influences during childhood on physical growth.

Sitting Height to Standing Height Ratio Reference Charts for Children in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To create reference charts for sitting height to standing height ratio (SitHt/Ht) for children in the US, and to describe the trajectory of SitHt/Ht during puberty. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, a strategic random sample of the US population. Comparison between non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Mexican American groups was performed by ANOVA to determine if a single population reference chart could be used. ANOVA was used to compare SitHt/Ht in pre-, early, and late puberty. RESULTS: NHANES III recorded sitting height and standing height measurements in 9569 children aged 2-18 years of NHW (n = 2715), NHB (n = 3336), and Mexican American (n = 3518) ancestry. NHB children had lower SitHt/Ht than NHW and Mexican American children throughout childhood (P < .001). In both sexes, the SitHt/Ht decreased from prepuberty to early puberty and increased in late puberty. Sex-specific percentile charts of SitHt/Ht vs age were generated for NHB and for NHW and Mexican American youth combined. CONCLUSIONS: SitHt/Ht assessment can detect disproportionate short stature in children with skeletal dysplasia, but age-, sex-, and population-specific reference charts are required to interpret this measurement. NHB children in the US have significantly lower SitHt/Ht than other children, which adds complexity to interpretation. We recommend the use of standardized ancestry-specific reference charts in screening for skeletal dysplasias and have developed such charts in this study.

A Cross-Cultural Anthropometric Analysis in Military Aviation.

BACKGROUND: Aircrew-aircraft compatibility is important in military aviation for flight safety. Anthropometric aircrew selection standards in RAFO were embedded from the selection standards of western defense forces as the aircrafts were imported from there. Henceforth efforts were made to fit local native aviators into aircrafts not initially designed for them. In view of this, this study was carried out to obtain the anthropometric data of Oman aircrew recruits and compare these with published western and eastern data with a hope to understand and highlight the aircrew-aircraft mismatch issues, if any.METHODS: The anthropometric data of 2296 Omani recruits from 2003 to 2012 were collected and their statistical distribution of data was collated. Published data from the UK and Singapore were used to carry out the comparative distribution of five anthropometric dimensions.RESULTS: Minimal differences were noted between Oman and Singaporean recruits whereas differences were most pronounced between Oman and Western populations (UK). Aircrew cadets from Oman, Singapore, and UK differed significantly in standing height. The UK cadets (M = 177.4 cm) showed the highest standing height followed by Oman cadets (M = 171.9cm), and then Singapore cadets (M = 168.5 cm).DISCUSSION: This study has provided opportunities to recognize the discrepancies involved in selection of Middle Eastern aircrew for western cockpits. This adds impetus to the scope for application of military recruitment standards suitable to the native population in aiding the ideal man-machine interface. This approach shall consider national policy, the significant anthropometric trends of the general population, and the procured aircraft profile of the country.Al Wardi Y, Jeevarathinam S, Al Sabei S. A cross-cultural anthropometric analysis in military aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(4):358-362.

Coronary heart disease and stroke in the Sami and non-Sami populations in rural Northern and Mid Norway-the SAMINOR Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that Sami have a similar risk of myocardial infarction and a higher risk of stroke compared with non-Sami living in the same geographical area. DESIGN: Participants in the SAMINOR 1 Survey (2003-2004) aged 30 and 36-79 years were followed to the 31 December 2016 for observation of fatal or non-fatal events of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary heart disease (CHD), ischaemic stroke (IS), stroke and a composite endpoint (fatal or non-fatal AMI or stroke). AIM: Compare the risk of AMI, CHD, IS, stroke and the composite endpoint in Sami and non-Sami populations, and identify intermediate factors if ethnic differences in risks are observed. METHODS: Cox regression models. RESULTS: The sex-adjusted and age-adjusted risks of AMI (HR for Sami versus non-Sami 0.99, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.17), CHD (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.15) and of the composite endpoint (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.24) were similar in Sami and non-Sami populations. Sami ethnicity was, however, associated with increased risk of IS (HR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.68) and stroke (HR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.58). Height explained more of the excess risk observed in Sami than conventional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of IS and stroke were higher in Sami and height was identified as an important intermediate factor as it explained a considerable proportion of the ethnic differences in IS and stroke. The risk of AMI, CHD and the composite endpoint was similar in Sami and non-Sami populations.

Weight and economic development: current net nutrition in the late 19th- and early 20th-century United States.

When traditional measures for material and economic welfare are scarce or unreliable, height and the body mass index (BMI) are now widely accepted measures that represent cumulative and current net nutrition in development studies. However, as the ratio of weight to height, BMI does not fully isolate the effects of current net nutrition. After controlling for height as a measure for current net nutrition, this study uses the weight of a sample of international men in US prisons. Throughout the late 19th- and early-20th centuries, individuals with darker complexions had greater weights than individuals with fairer complexions. Mexican and Asian populations in the US had lower weights and reached shorter statures. Black and white weights stagnated throughout the late 19th- and early-20th centuries. Agricultural workers' had greater weights than workers in other occupations.

Evolutionary Strategies for Body Size.

Humans show marked variation in body size around the world, both within and among populations. At present, the tallest people in the world are from the Netherlands and the Balkan countries, while the shortest populations are central African Pygmies. There are genetic, genetic plasticity, developmental, and environmental bases for size variation in Homo sapiens from the recent past and the present. Early populations of Homo species also have shown considerable size variation. Populations from the present and the past are also marked by sexual dimorphism, which, itself, shows group variation. There is abundant evidence for the effects of limited food and disease on human growth and resultant adult body size. This environmental influence has been reflected in "secular trends" (over a span of years) in growth and adult size from socioeconomic prosperity or poverty (availability of resources). Selective and evolutionary advantages of small or large body size also have been documented. Heritability for human height is relatively great with current genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying hundreds of genes leading to causes of growth and adult size variation. There are also endocrinological pathways limiting growth. An example is the reduced tissue sensitivity to human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in Philippine and African hunter-gatherer populations. In several short-statured hunter-gatherer populations (Asian, African, and South American), it has been hypothesized that short life expectancy has selected for early maturity and truncated growth to enhance fertility. Some island populations of humans and other mammals are thought to have been selected for small size because of limited resources, especially protein. The high-protein content of milk as a staple food may contribute to tall stature in East African pastoral peoples. These and other evolutionary questions linked to life history, male competition, reproduction, and mobility are explored in this paper.

Change in body height, axial length and refractive status over a four-year period in caucasian children and young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Body height and axial length (AL) increase during childhood with excessive axial elongation resulting in myopia. There is no consensus regarding the association between body growth and AL during refractive development. This study explored the association between change in body height, AL and refractive status over 4-years in children and young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measures were collected biennially (timepoints: t1, t2, t3) (t1 n = 140, aged 5-20years). Non-cycloplegic autorefraction was obtained using the Shin-Nippon openfield autorefractor. AL, corneal curvature (CC) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured by IOL Master. Body height (cm) was measured using a wall mounted tape measure. Refractive status was classified using spherical equivalent refraction (SER): persistent emmetropes (PE) (-0.50D to +1.00D), persistent myopes (PM) (≤-0.50D), progressing myopes (PrM) (increase of ≤-0.50D between timepoints), incident myopes (IM) (subsequent SER≤-0.50D) and persistent hyperopes (PH) (>+1.00D). RESULTS: Change in AL and change in height were correlated in the PE (all t:p ≤ 0.003) and the IM (t1-t2 p = 0.04). For every increase in body height of 1 cm: t1-t2: AL increased by 0.03 mm in the PE, 0.15 in the PM, 0.11 mm in the IM, 0.14 mm in the PrM, -0.006 mm in the PH. T2-t3: AL increased by 0.02 mm in the PE, 0.06 in the PM, 0.16 mm in the PrM, 0.12 mm in the IM and -0.03 mm in the PH. CONCLUSIONS: In emmetropia body growth and axial elongation are correlated. In participants with myopia, body growth appears to stabilise whilst axial elongation continues at a much faster rate indicating dysregulation of normal ocular growth.

Estimation equations for the height of Colombian elders using knee height / Ecuaciones para estimar la talla de ancianos colombianos mediante la altura de la rodilla

Introduction: The height in the elderly does not reflect their real size as young adults due to the aging of their spine, among other aspects. Objective: To estimate the equations to predict the height in Colombian elders according to their ethnic group and sex using the knee height measurement. Materials and methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the SABE, 2015, crosssectional study using a multistage probabilistic sampling design in people aged 60 years and over in Colombia. We randomly selected two groups from the study's database: A development group and a validation group of the equations. Age and anthropometric characteristics were similar in both groups. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis to predict the height using knee height measurement in the different ethnic groups (Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and white-mestizo groups) by age and sex; the results were validated in each selected subgroup. Results: We designed six equations by sex (men=3,665; women=3,019) and ethnic group. The adjusted R2 of the equations in men from the three ethnic groups oscillated between 64% and 75% and the standard errors, between 3,09 and 3,93 cm while in women, the R2s of the three equations ranged between 53% and 73% and the EEs, between 2,96 and 3,90 cm. Conclusion: The equation with the best predictive capacity of the height of Colombian elders was obtained for African descendants of both sexes. The lowest coefficients of determination were obtained for the indigenous population.

Introducción. La estatura en el anciano no refleja su talla real de adulto joven debido al envejecimiento de su columna vertebral, entre otros aspectos. Objetivo. Proponer ecuaciones para estimar la talla de los ancianos colombianos mediante la altura de la rodilla, según el grupo étnico y el sexo. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un análisis secundario del estudio transversal SABE 2015, utilizando un diseño muestral probabilístico y multietápico en personas colombianas de 60 o más años. Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente dos grupos de la base de datos del estudio SABE: el grupo para el desarrollo de las ecuaciones y el grupo para su validación. Se hizo un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para estimar la estatura mediante la altura de la rodilla en los grupos étnicos (indígenas, afrodescendientes y blancos-mestizos) por edad y sexo; los resultados se validaron en cada subgrupo de estudio. Resultados. Se diseñaron seis ecuaciones por sexo (hombres=3.665, mujeres=3.019) y etnia; los coeficientes de determinación ajustados (R2) de las ecuaciones en hombres de los tres grupos étnicos oscilaron entre 64 y 75 % y, los errores estándar, entre 3,09 y 3,93 cm. En las mujeres, los R2 de las tres ecuaciones fluctuaron entre 53 y 73 % y los EE, entre 2,96 y 3,90 cm. Conclusión. La ecuación con mejor capacidad para estimar la talla del anciano colombiano fue la obtenida para los afrodescendientes de ambos sexos, en tanto que en la población indígena se presentaron los menores coeficientes de determinación.

[The health and nutrition of indigenous children in Chile (Mapuche)]. / Salud y nutrición del niño indígena chileno (Mapuche).

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the health and nutritional status of Chilean indigenous children, specifically Mapuche children, as published in the literature and specific population-based studies. The searches were conducted in PubMed and LILACS in the last 15 years. From 2006 to 2015, the poverty rate was higher in the indigenous population, with a decrease in the gap from 16% in 2006 to 7.7% in 2015 (p < 0.001). In the first decade of this century, infant mortality in indigenous children was 17.1/1,000 live births, while in non-indigenous children it was 8.8/1,000, and the gap was maintained in the five-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Newborns with birthweight < 2,500g in the year 2000 did not reach 6% (5.6% in non-indigenous and 5.2% in indigenous children). Low height at first school enrollment was 8.4% in indigenous schoolchildren and 3.1% in non-indigenous children, decreasing to 3.7% in indigenous children and 2.6% in non-indigenous children in 2004, while obesity increased more in indigenous children, reaching 24.2% in indigenous and 25.3% in non-indigenous children (p < 0.001). Menarche appeared four months later on average in indigenous girls (12.7 years), and body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass were significantly greater in indigenous girls at the time of thelarche, as was the overweight rate (55%, vs. 42% in non-indigenous). Mapuche children show favorable health and nutritional status compared to indigenous children elsewhere in Latin America, but there is still an adverse gap compared to non-indigenous Chilean children. This inequality affecting indigenous Chilean children should be acknowledged and corrected.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de la situación de salud y nutrición del niño indígena chileno, específicamente del Mapuche, en lo publicado en las bases de datos de referencias bibliográficas y en investigaciones específicas que tienen base poblacional. Para este trabajo se buscó lo publicado en PubMed, LILACS, organismos nacionales e internacionales, durante los últimos 15 años. Desde el 2006 hasta el 2015 la proporción de pobres era mayor en los indígenas, con disminución de la brecha de 16% el 2006 a 7,7% el 2015 (p < 0,001). En la primera década de este siglo la mortalidad infantil en los niños indígenas tenía una tasa de 17,1/1.000 nacidos vivos, mientras en los no indígenas era de de 8,8/1.000 y, en el seguimiento de cinco años, la brecha se mantuvo (p < 0,001). Los recién nacidos con peso < 2,500g el año 2000 no superaban el 6% (5,6% en no indígenas y 5,2% en los indígenas). La talla baja al ingreso a la escuela era 8,4% en los escolares indígenas y 3,1% en los no indígenas, disminuyendo a 3,7 en los indígenas y 2,6% en los no indígenas el 2004, la obesidad en cambio aumentó más en los indígenas, llegando a 24,2 y 25,3% en los no indígenas (p < 0,001). La menarquia se presentó cuatro meses más tarde en las indígenas (12,7 años) y el índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de cintura y el porcentaje de grasa, fueron significativamente mayores en las indígenas en el momento de la telarquia, así como la frecuencia de exceso de peso (55% vs. 42% en las no indígenas). Los niños Mapuche presentan una condición de salud y nutrición favorable, comparada con los indígenas de otros países del continente, sin embargo, aun existe una brecha adversa -comparada con los no indígenas-, en que la desigualdad desfavorece al niño indígena y esta debe ser reconocida y corregida.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar una revisão da situação da saúde e nutrição da criança indígena chilena, especificamente da Mapuche, nas publicações relacionadas em bases de dados de referências bibliográficas e em pesquisas específicas que têm base populacional. A pesquisa foi realizada em publicações relacionadas: PubMed, LILACS, organismos nacionais e internacionais, nos últimos 15 anos. Desde 2006 até 2015 a proporção de pobres era maior nos indígenas, com diminuição de uma diferença de 16% em 2006 a 7,7% em 2015 (p < 0.001). Na primeira década de este século a mortalidade infantil nas crianças indígenas teve una taxa de 17,1/1.000 nascidas vivas, enquanto nos não indígenas era de 8,8/1.000 e, em um acompanhamento de cinco anos, a diferença se manteve (p < 0,001). Os recém-nascidos com peso < 2.500g no ano de 2000 não superavam 6% (5,6% em não indígenas e 5,2% nos indígenas). A baixa estatura ao momento do ingresso na escola era 8,4% nos escolares indígenas e 3,1% nos não indígenas, diminuindo a 3,7 nos indígenas e 2,6% nos não indígenas em 2004, a obesidade pelo contrário teve um aumento maior nos indígenas, chegando a 24,2 e 25,3% nos não indígenas (p < 0,001). A menarca ocorreu quatro meses mais tarde nas indígenas (12,7 anos) e o índice de massa corporal, circunferência da cintura e a porcentagem da gordura, foram significativamente maiores nas indígenas no período da telarca, à semelhança da frequência do sobrepeso (55% vs. 42% nas não indígenas). As crianças Mapuche apresentam uma condição de saúde e nutrição favorável, comparada com os indígenas de outros países do continente, no entanto, ainda existe uma brecha adversa - comparada com os não indígenas - , onde a desigualdade desfavorece a criança indígena e por isso deve ser reconhecida e corrigida.

Ancient origins of low lean mass among South Asians and implications for modern type 2 diabetes susceptibility.

Living South Asians have low lean tissue mass relative to height, which contributes to their elevated type 2 diabetes susceptibility, particularly when accompanied by obesity. While ongoing lifestyle transitions account for rising obesity, the origins of low lean mass remain unclear. We analysed proxies for lean mass and stature among South Asian skeletons spanning the last 11,000 years (n = 197) to investigate the origins of South Asian low lean mass. Compared with a worldwide sample (n = 2,003), South Asian skeletons indicate low lean mass. Stature-adjusted lean mass increased significantly over time in South Asia, but to a very minor extent (0.04 z-score units per 1,000 years, adjusted R2 = 0.01). In contrast stature decreased sharply when agriculture was adopted. Our results indicate that low lean mass has characterised South Asians since at least the early Holocene and may represent long-term climatic adaptation or neutral variation. This phenotype is therefore unlikely to change extensively in the short term, so other strategies to address increasing non-communicable disease rates must be pursued.

North and south: A comprehensive analysis of non-adult growth and health in the industrial revolution (AD 18th-19th C), England.

OBJECTIVE: Stark health inequalities exist in the present day between the North and South of England, with people in the South, overall, experiencing better health across a range of parameters (e.g., life expectancy and number of years spent in good health). Bioarchaeological studies of skeletal remains from cemeteries across this geographical divide have the ability to provide a temporal perspective on the etiology, longevity, and nature of this disparity. METHODS: In total 574 non-adults (0-17 years) from six urban sites (c. AD 1711-1856) were analyzed from the North and South of England. Measurements of long bone length, cortical thickness, and vertebral dimensions were analyzed alongside both skeletal and dental palaeopathological data to assess patterns of disease and growth disruption between skeletal samples. RESULTS: There were few significant differences in growth parameters between the six sites in relation to geographical location. However, the northern-based sample Coach Lane (North Shields) demonstrated some of the highest rates of pathology, with metabolic disease being particularly prevalent. DISCUSSION: Northern and southern populations suffered alike from the detrimental environmental conditions associated with urban centers of the 18th-19th centuries. However, the elevated prevalence of vitamin D deficiency seen within the Coach Lane sample is indicative of a regionally specific risk that may be related to latitude, and/or the influence of particular industries operating in the North-East.

"A child may be tall but stunted." Meanings attached to childhood height in Tanzania.

Stunting affects large numbers of under-fives in Tanzania. But do caretakers of under-fives recognize height as a marker of child growth? What meanings do they attach to linear growth? An ethnographic study using cultural schemas theory was conducted in a rural community in Southeastern Tanzania to investigate caregivers' conceptualizations of child height in relation to growth and the meanings attached to short stature. Data for the study were collected through 19 focus group discussions, 30 in-depth interviews, and five key informant interviews with caregivers of under-fives, including mothers, fathers, elderly women, and community health workers. Principles of grounded theory guided the data management and analysis. Although caregivers could recognize height increments in children and were pleased to see improvements, many held that height is not related to nutrition, health, or overall growth. They referred to short stature as a normal condition that caregivers cannot influence; that is, as a function of God's will and/or heredity. While acknowledging short stature as an indicator of stunting, most participants said it is not reliable. Other signs of childhood stunting cited by caregivers include a mature-looking face, wrinkled skin, weak or copper-coloured hair, abnormal shortness and thinness, delayed ability to crawl/stand/walk, stunted IQ, and frequent illness. Culturally, a child could be tall but also stunted. Traditional rather than biomedical care was used to remedy growth problems in children. Public health programmers should seek to understand the local knowledge and schemas of child stature employed by people in their own context before designing and implementing interventions.

Maternal Height and Risk of Preeclampsia among Race/Ethnic Groups.

OBJECTIVE: Shorter maternal height has been associated with preeclampsia risk in several populations. It has been less evident whether an independent contribution to the risk exists from maternal height consistently across different races/ethnicities. We investigated associations between maternal height and risk of preeclampsia for different races/ethnicities. STUDY DESIGN: California singleton live births from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for the association between height and preeclampsia after stratification by race/ethnicity. To determine the contribution of height that is as independent of body composition as possible, we performed one analysis adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and the other for weight. Additional analyses were performed stratified by parity, and the presence of preexisting/gestational diabetes and autoimmune conditions. RESULTS: Among 2,138,012 deliveries, 3.1% preeclampsia/eclampsia cases were observed. The analysis, adjusted for prepregnancy weight, revealed an inverse relation between maternal height and risk of mild and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia. When the analysis was adjusted for BMI, an inverse relation between maternal height was observed for severe preeclampsia/eclampsia. These associations were observed for each race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Using a large and diverse cohort, we demonstrated that shorter height, irrespective of prepregnancy weight or BMI, is associated with an increased risk of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia across different races/ethnicities.

Salud y nutrición del niño indígena chileno (Mapuche) / The health and nutrition of indigenous children in Chile (Mapuche) / Saúde e nutrição da criança indígena chilena (Mapuche)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de la situación de salud y nutrición del niño indígena chileno, específicamente del Mapuche, en lo publicado en las bases de datos de referencias bibliográficas y en investigaciones específicas que tienen base poblacional. Para este trabajo se buscó lo publicado en PubMed, LILACS, organismos nacionales e internacionales, durante los últimos 15 años. Desde el 2006 hasta el 2015 la proporción de pobres era mayor en los indígenas, con disminución de la brecha de 16% el 2006 a 7,7% el 2015 (p < 0,001). En la primera década de este siglo la mortalidad infantil en los niños indígenas tenía una tasa de 17,1/1.000 nacidos vivos, mientras en los no indígenas era de de 8,8/1.000 y, en el seguimiento de cinco años, la brecha se mantuvo (p < 0,001). Los recién nacidos con peso < 2,500g el año 2000 no superaban el 6% (5,6% en no indígenas y 5,2% en los indígenas). La talla baja al ingreso a la escuela era 8,4% en los escolares indígenas y 3,1% en los no indígenas, disminuyendo a 3,7 en los indígenas y 2,6% en los no indígenas el 2004, la obesidad en cambio aumentó más en los indígenas, llegando a 24,2 y 25,3% en los no indígenas (p < 0,001). La menarquia se presentó cuatro meses más tarde en las indígenas (12,7 años) y el índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de cintura y el porcentaje de grasa, fueron significativamente mayores en las indígenas en el momento de la telarquia, así como la frecuencia de exceso de peso (55% vs. 42% en las no indígenas). Los niños Mapuche presentan una condición de salud y nutrición favorable, comparada con los indígenas de otros países del continente, sin embargo, aun existe una brecha adversa -comparada con los no indígenas-, en que la desigualdad desfavorece al niño indígena y esta debe ser reconocida y corregida.

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the health and nutritional status of Chilean indigenous children, specifically Mapuche children, as published in the literature and specific population-based studies. The searches were conducted in PubMed and LILACS in the last 15 years. From 2006 to 2015, the poverty rate was higher in the indigenous population, with a decrease in the gap from 16% in 2006 to 7.7% in 2015 (p < 0.001). In the first decade of this century, infant mortality in indigenous children was 17.1/1,000 live births, while in non-indigenous children it was 8.8/1,000, and the gap was maintained in the five-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Newborns with birthweight < 2,500g in the year 2000 did not reach 6% (5.6% in non-indigenous and 5.2% in indigenous children). Low height at first school enrollment was 8.4% in indigenous schoolchildren and 3.1% in non-indigenous children, decreasing to 3.7% in indigenous children and 2.6% in non-indigenous children in 2004, while obesity increased more in indigenous children, reaching 24.2% in indigenous and 25.3% in non-indigenous children (p < 0.001). Menarche appeared four months later on average in indigenous girls (12.7 years), and body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass were significantly greater in indigenous girls at the time of thelarche, as was the overweight rate (55%, vs. 42% in non-indigenous). Mapuche children show favorable health and nutritional status compared to indigenous children elsewhere in Latin America, but there is still an adverse gap compared to non-indigenous Chilean children. This inequality affecting indigenous Chilean children should be acknowledged and corrected.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar una revisão da situação da saúde e nutrição da criança indígena chilena, especificamente da Mapuche, nas publicações relacionadas em bases de dados de referências bibliográficas e em pesquisas específicas que têm base populacional. A pesquisa foi realizada em publicações relacionadas: PubMed, LILACS, organismos nacionais e internacionais, nos últimos 15 anos. Desde 2006 até 2015 a proporção de pobres era maior nos indígenas, com diminuição de uma diferença de 16% em 2006 a 7,7% em 2015 (p < 0.001). Na primeira década de este século a mortalidade infantil nas crianças indígenas teve una taxa de 17,1/1.000 nascidas vivas, enquanto nos não indígenas era de 8,8/1.000 e, em um acompanhamento de cinco anos, a diferença se manteve (p < 0,001). Os recém-nascidos com peso < 2.500g no ano de 2000 não superavam 6% (5,6% em não indígenas e 5,2% nos indígenas). A baixa estatura ao momento do ingresso na escola era 8,4% nos escolares indígenas e 3,1% nos não indígenas, diminuindo a 3,7 nos indígenas e 2,6% nos não indígenas em 2004, a obesidade pelo contrário teve um aumento maior nos indígenas, chegando a 24,2 e 25,3% nos não indígenas (p < 0,001). A menarca ocorreu quatro meses mais tarde nas indígenas (12,7 anos) e o índice de massa corporal, circunferência da cintura e a porcentagem da gordura, foram significativamente maiores nas indígenas no período da telarca, à semelhança da frequência do sobrepeso (55% vs. 42% nas não indígenas). As crianças Mapuche apresentam uma condição de saúde e nutrição favorável, comparada com os indígenas de outros países do continente, no entanto, ainda existe uma brecha adversa - comparada com os não indígenas - , onde a desigualdade desfavorece a criança indígena e por isso deve ser reconhecida e corrigida.