This study assesses the feasibility of measuring interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) in infant salivary samples as representative of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory processes, and explores predictors of these biomarkers in a US population.

Biocultural anthropology has long represented an important approach in the study of human biology. However, despite demonstrated utility, its somewhat amorphous identity leaves some scholars questioning just what it means to be biocultural. In this article, rather than providing proscriptive doctrine, we contribute to these conversations about the nature of biocultural anthropology by considering what

Rapid socioeconomic change, associated with development and a growing tourism industry is occurring across the Himalayas. The health impact of this rapid economic development is poorly understood, especially for infants and young children. This study investigated the associations between village level economic differences as indexed by economic development and tourism engagement on infant and young

Chronic malnutrition remains a persistent global health issue. This mixed methods investigation in rural Peru examines the role of home food production (HFP) in reducing child malnutrition by testing the following hypotheses: (a) higher HFP will be associated with higher infant z‐scores than those with less HFP and (b) infants with higher HFP will exhibit improved longitudinal growth outcomes across

In healthy adults, it is generally accepted that women have less upper body muscle mass compared to men. However, it is unknown whether there are sex differences in skeletal muscle distribution in highly trained large‐sized athletes. Our aim was to compare the skeletal muscle size distribution between large‐sized male and female athletes.

One of the striking features emerging from the COVID‐19 pandemic has been the early recognition of ethnic disparities in both vulnerability to contracting the disease, as well as its outcome. These disparities were first reported in news outlets (Blow, 2020; Cowan, 2020; Godin, 2020; The Guardian, 2020a) and, more recently, verified in academic journals (e.g., Bhala, Curry, Martineau, Agyeman, & Bhopal

2020. «Paintings for Wuhan», Li Zhong (China) © Li Zhong through Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. Li Zhong is president of the Artist Association of Fengxian District, Shanghai (China). An interview with Li Zhong and a series of paintings on the fight in China against the COVID‐19 pandemic area is available in Painting and epidemic.

To qualify a 3C approach model of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) to estimate multicomponent resting energy expenditure (REE) referenced by indirect calorimetry (IC).

To analyze the association between newborn and maternal characteristics and the risk for cesarean section (CS) due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) and non‐CPD causes compared to vaginal deliveries (VD) in a sample of infants and mothers from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

To evaluate secular changes in the heights and weights of rural school youth in west‐central Poland across decennial surveys of the same communities spanning 1986 and 2016.

Haplogroup C2a‐M48 is the predominant paternal lineage of Tungusic‐speaking populations, one of the largest population groups in Siberia. Up until now, the origins and dispersal of Tungusic‐speaking populations have remained unclear. In this study, the demographic history of Tungusic‐speaking populations was explored using the phylogenetic analysis of haplogroup C2a‐M86, the major subbranch of C2a‐M48

Adrenarche involves maturation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and increased production of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate ester, dehydroepiandrosterone‐sulfate (DHEA‐S). It occurs at ages 6 to 8 in industrialized populations, marking the transition from childhood to juvenility and cognitive development at middle childhood. Studies in subsistence level populations indicate a later

In this study, we measured the hematologic and spirometric parameters of native Tajik and Kyrgyz highlanders in the Pamir Mountains to investigate adaptations to high altitude stressors.

To analyze the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the variation in somatotype, physical fitness, and their mutual associations.

The aim of this study was to investigate how much variation in adult stature and body mass can be explained by growth disruption among soldiers who served in Napoleon's Grand Army during the Russian Campaign of 1812.

Increasing obesity rates and accelerating climate change represent two global health challenges shaped by lifestyle change and human environmental modifications. Yet, few studies have considered how these issues may interact to exacerbate disease risk.

This article highlights the prevalence of symptom frequencies in Nagaland, India, with a focus on depressed mood and hot flashes. We also examine how symptoms cluster together among Naga women and identify factors associated with symptom experience. We hypothesized an elevated frequency of depressed mood because of the stresses associated with social responsibilities within a patriarchal culture, and

The aim of the present study was to investigate sexual dimorphism in the full facial shape of modern Buryats—people of Southern Siberia of Mongolian origin.

There are several different proportionality indices (PRIs) to evaluate size at birth by gestational age (GA). Yet, the explanatory power of alternative PRIs has not been evaluated in highland (HL) populations.

Elevated resting metabolic rates (RMR, kcal/day) are a well‐established mechanism for maintaining core body temperature among cold climate populations. A high degree of interindividual variation has recently been noted among circumpolar populations. To further examine RMR variability, we investigated anthropometric and metabolic differences among reindeer herders from subarctic Finland.

This study compared the prevalence of concentrated urine (urine specific gravity ≥1.021), an indicator of hypohydration, across Tsimane' hunter‐forager‐horticulturalists living in hot‐humid lowland Bolivia and Daasanach agropastoralists living in hot‐arid Northern Kenya. It tested the hypotheses that household water and food insecurity would be associated with higher odds of hypohydration.

Introduction: We investigated the preliminary effects of dietary changes on the anthropometric measurements of child and adolescent Hadza foragers.

This study explores the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among Portuguese children according to their weight status.

Chronic stress is a risk factor for hypertension in adults. However, there is conflicting evidence for older adults. We hypothesized that age‐related arterial stiffening, which leads to a lower blood pressure (especially diastolic blood pressure [DBP]), is more pronounced among older adults with high vs low stress. The objectives of this study were (a) to investigate age‐related trends in systolic

The “obstetrical dilemma” hypothesis assumes that the modern human female pelvis serves two discrete functions: obstetrics and locomotion. We investigate whether these differing functions create observable patterns of morphological covariation and whether those patterns differ by height, weight, and age. This allows evaluation of evidence for canalization and phenotypic plasticity relevant to obstetric

Bioarcheological evidence suggests stature increased in males but decreased in females after the Black Death (1348‐1350 CE). Because tradeoffs between growth and reproduction can result in earlier ages at menarche and lower limb length, we assess menarcheal age between 1120 and 1540 CE to better understand the health of medieval adolescent females before and after the plague.

The determinants of variability in infant carrying within and across societies is an understudied area within parental investment research. Carrying has positive and negative consequences as it may protect the infant from predators and pathogens but is energetically costly for caregivers. Moreover, carrying may delay independent locomotor development and exposure to antigens necessary for immunological

This study evaluates the correlations amongst mandibular torus, palatine torus, oral exostoses to dental wear/loss and temporomandibular damage.

We aimed to establish which of sitting height (SH) and total height (Ht) is most appropriately used in the scaling of adult body mass (BM), waist circumference (WC), and forced vital capacity (FVC), considering likely explanations and proposing a suitable index for each.

Lower digit ratios between the lengths of fingers 2 (2D) and 4 (4D) (2D:4D) are associated with superior distance running and athletic performance. We examined relationships between 2D:4D, aerobic fitness, physical skills, and overall physical fitness of elite adolescent boy and girl distance runners.

While several experimental studies in animals and humans have suggested the protective effect of nightly fasting duration (NFD) against cardiometabolic risk factors, few population‐based studies have been conducted. This study aimed to investigate the association between NFD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Japanese non‐shift workers.

To understand migration from an evolutionary perspective, this phenomenon has so far been mainly investigated in animal species. We therefore aim to investigate the potential evolutionary roots of attitudes toward migrants in humans.

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a multifactorial etiology involving a complex interplay between genes and the environment. The prevalence of T2DM among the countries of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC), including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ranks among the top 15 in the world. A number of studies have shown an increase in T2DM risk for the "TT" genotype at the rs4506565 and rs12255372

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess time intervals between the age at menarche (AM) and age at sexual initiation (ASI) in Polish women born before and after the political transformation period in Poland. METHODS Participants were 518 women born between 1959 and 2001 in Poland. AM and ASI were based on self-report. Three birth cohorts were distinguished based on the year of birth: I (1959-1979)

OBJECTIVE Using Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data set, this preregistered study set out to investigate the effect of parental care arrangements (eg, genetically related parents, adoptive, step/ foster, genetic nonparental relative, and no parental figure) on adult children's income and wealth in later life. METHODS Consistent with the preregistration plan

The COVID‐19 pandemic is transforming the lives of human populations around the world and stimulating a global research effort aimed at understanding and addressing this disease. Over the last few weeks, I have heard from many of our colleagues who are initiating research or commenting on the COVID‐19 pandemic. As human biologists, we are well positioned to address this biocultural health crisis, one

OBJECTIVES We study the influence of height on labour market outcomes using micro-data from a recent survey that cover 27 post-communist countries. Specifically, we focus on the influence of height on three dimensions of labour market outcome: (1) likelihood of employment, (2) occupational sorting, and (3) earnings. METHODS We use micro-data from 2016 Life-In-Transition survey (LITS) which was jointly

The effects of stress caused by natural disasters may be more pronounced in individuals with preexisting disadvantages. The degree of hardship and psychological distress associated with Hurricane Florence was assessed in 83 pregnant women. This research helps identify unmarried pregnant women as a group particularly at risk of distress following a natural disaster.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mediating role of visceral adiposity, as assessed by the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in the relationship among schooling, physical inactivity, and unhealthy metabolic phenotype (UMP). METHODS A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 854 adult individuals of both sexes from a Brazilian city. Data were collected through interviews, anthropometric evaluation

OBJECTIVE Hispanic populations typically show a high prevalence of dyslipidemias, especially of low high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) or HDL cholesterol. Highly admixed populations are ideal groups to clarify the role of genetic ancestry on HDL concentrations, isolating it from that of other factors. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between Native American genetic ancestry

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the socioeconomic status (SES) and age on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 5 to 10-year-old children from Brazil. METHODS The sample consisted of 80 782 (41 063 boys) students aged 5 to 10-year-old. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. SES was self-reported by parents when registering

OBJECTIVES Essential fatty acids (EFA), including linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are indispensable for proper brain growth especially in the first months after birth when it develops most rapidly. Since fats, especially EFA, in breast milk are highly variable between mothers, we indirectly examined whether milk energy, LA and ALA content in breast milk affect volume and shape of

OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to determine whether exposure of pregnant women to stresses caused by World War II (WWII) negatively affected pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. METHODS Individual medical documents deposited in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Medical University, Poznań (1934-1943; N = 7058) were evaluated. These were divided into two birth cohorts: before WWII and

This study aimed to create a composite measure of a healthy lifestyle for adolescents, and analyze its relationship to sociodemographic factors.

Diabetes and depression are commonly present in the same individuals, suggesting the possibility of underlying shared physiological processes. Inflammation, as assessed with the biomarker C‐reactive protein (CRP), has not consistently explained the observed relationship between diabetes and depression, although both are associated with inflammation and share proposed inflammatory mechanisms. Central

Humans live in environments that reduce the impact of seasonal cues. However, studies suggest that many aspects of human biology, such as birth, metabolism, health, and death are still annually rhythmic.

Studies have demonstrated that rs373863828, a missense variant in CREBRF, is associated with a number of anthropometric traits including body mass index (BMI), obesity, percent body fat, hip circumference, and abdominal circumference. Given the biological relationship between height and adiposity, we hypothesized that the effect of this variant on BMI might be due in part to an association of this

Telomeres are the protective caps of chromosomes. They shorten with cell replication, age, and possibly environmental stimuli (eg, infection and stress). Short telomere length (TL) predicts subsequent worse health. Although venous whole blood (VWB) is most commonly used for TL measurement, other, more minimally invasive, sampling techniques are becoming increasingly common due to their field‐friendliness

Relatively little is known about sources of variation in human breastmilk composition. Previous research posits that composition may be affected by the low oxygen environment found at high altitude (HA). Our objective is to compare the milk composition of a sample of HA Andeans to previously published data on HA Tibetans and low altitude (LA) Peruvians.

We know little about human olfactory ability in natural settings because current knowledge derives from lab‐based studies using nonrepresentative samples of convenience. The primary objective was to use a validated lab tool, the five‐item odor identification test, to assess variation in olfactory ability in different environments.

Seasonality is an important factor in children's physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB); thus, the aim of this study was to explore the seasonal characteristics of Chinese preschool children's PA and SB.

OBJECTIVES This study's purpose was to compare physical growth (PG) patterns of children and adolescents living at high elevations with those of other geographic regions, relate body adiposity indicators, and develop percentile reference tables for assessing physical growth and body adiposity. METHODS The sample included 1536 children and adolescents ages 5.0 to 17.9 years from Puno (Peru) located

OBJECTIVES Exercise can lead to changes in immune function. To further investigate this relationship, we examined possible differences in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion rates among female college athletes and nonathlete students. We predicted that athletes would have higher sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes and show greater declines in sIgA during the study period as intensive

OBJECTIVES Lactational programming, through which milk-borne bioactives influence both neonatal and long-term biological development, is well established. However, almost no research has investigated how developmental stimuli during a mother's early life may influence her milk bioactives in adulthood. Here, we investigated the association between maternal birth weight and milk epidermal growth factor

OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess the secular trend in age at menarche (AAM) in Mexico over the 20th century, and compare the patterns according to area of residence (rural/urban), socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity (indigenous/nonindigenous). METHODS Data on AAM from 24 380 women aged ≥20 years born between 1906 and 1986 were obtained from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey

OBJECTIVE To compare the orofacial muscle strength and facial muscle thickness between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained men and women. METHODS Resistance-trained (25 men and 22 women) and non-resistance trained (21 men and 30 women) adults (18-40 years) had standard measurements of orofacial muscle strength (ie, anterior tongue elevation, cheek compression, and lip compression) and ultrasound

OBJECTIVES The environment is believed to be key in obesity prevention, yet it is unclear how factors in the neighborhood influence weight-related behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of parental perceived environment on physical activity (PA), television (TV) time, active play and Body Mass Index (BMI) z score, and the mediating role of these weight-related behaviors on

OBJECTIVES Due to increasing problems with obesity and vitamin D deficiency among children, studies that tackle both problems together are needed. METHODS Data were collected from 182 randomly selected children aged 6-13 years in primary schools in central Poland. Measures included anthropometric dimensions, body composition, questionnaires completed by participants' parents, and saliva samples. The

OBJECTIVES Our purpose was to explore the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the relationship between CRF, physical activity, and other physical traits in traditional and nontraditional Tarahumara, and Mestizo adolescents from Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico. METHODS A sample of 87 adolescents aged 16.9 ± 1.2 years (mean ± SD) performed the Margaria step test to quantify CRF. Physical activity