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Biomedical subjects

S J Ulijaszek

Publications and source records attributed to S J Ulijaszek.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Estimating energy and nutrient intakes in studies of human fertility.

Two methods of dietary recording, the 24-hr recall and the weighed dietary intake methods, are considered appropriate for estimating energy and nutrient intakes in studies of human fertility. The former method gives lower estimates than the latter, although weighed intakes may underestimate true intakes. Examination of food intakes of pregnant, lactating, and non-pregnant, non-lactating New Guinean women shows their diet to be less homogeneous than is generally assumed for groups in developing countries. As a result direct observations of food intake for a limited number of days are not sufficiently accurate for the estimation of intake of most of the nutrients examined. Rather the study design should reflect the variability of intakes of the nutrients and groups under consideration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Human dietary change.

The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and animal husbandry in the Near East and Mediterranean Region began some 12,000 years ago. The ecological changes associated with this change are known to have been related to higher levels of stress from undernutrition and infectious disease. Certain pathologies found in human skeletal remains from this time are indicative of anaemia and osteoporosis, although it is not clear whether they had clear nutritional aetiologies. In this paper, dietary changes associated with changes in subsistence practices in this region are described. In addition, quantitative modelling of possible patterns of dietary and nutrient intakes of adult males before, and soon after, the establishment of agrarian economies is used to examine the proposition that the skeletal pathologies porotic hyperostosis, cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis may have been due to nutritional deficiencies. The results suggest that protein deficiency was only likely if subjects were suffering from chronic energy deficiency (CED) and their diet contained no meat. Dietary calcium deficiency was possible after the transition to cultivation and animal husbandry, in the presence of moderate or severe CED. Anaemias, although present after the transition, were unlikely to have had dietary aetiologies, regardless of the severity of CED.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1989

Variability in body physique, ecology, and subsistence in the Fly River region of Papua New Guinea.

There are some 40,000 indigenous peoples of the Fly River drainage in Papua New Guinea. The 4,000-mm rainfall contour ecologically demarcates hunter-horticulturalist peoples living in the rainforests of the Upper Fly from hunter-gatherer peoples living in the savanna-swamplands of the Middle and Lower Fly. A complex of factors operate to create significant physical differences between Upper Fly peoples and those of the Middle and Lower Fly. The ecological division between rainforests and savanna-swamplands demarcates a clear clinal separation by stature of Upper Fly peoples from those of the Middle and Lower Fly.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1985

A rapid appraisal of the nutritional status of Irian Jaya refugees and Papua New Guineans undergoing severe food shortage in the North Fly region.

A survey of nutritional status of recent border crossers from Irian Jaya undergoing severe food shortages was carried out. The two camps visited were those considered to have the most serious problems at the height of the crisis. Komopkin Camp had the highest levels of malnutrition in all age groups and in all categories, including 52% of children aged 1 to 5 years with signs of kwashiorkor. No kwashiorkor, however, was found in the other camp. Papua New Guinea villagers living alongside the refugees in Komopkin were also suffering from malnutrition, though of lesser severity and shorter duration.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Adequacy of energy and protein intake amongst adult Wopkaimin in the Ok Tedi region.

Weighed dietary intakes were carried out on 50 non-pregnant women and unemployed men in three villages in the Ok Tedi region. Mean energy intakes were lowest in Wangbin, the village closest to the Ok Tedi mining operation, and highest in the most remote village, Atemkit. Mean protein intakes were highest in Bultem II and somewhat lower in Wangbin and Atemkit. Though very few individuals achieved the WHO/FAO recommended daily allowances for energy, a majority achieved it for protein. As a result of increased consumption of tradestore foods, the quality of the diet of Wopkaimin people directly involved in mining operations has improved. However, social stresses induced by these operations have resulted in uneven distribution of this new wealth, and there are cases of genuine food shortages in the midst of plenty.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Socioeconomic status, body size and physical activity of adults on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands.

Much of the secular trend toward increased body size among populations in the Pacific Region has been attributed to the processes of economic modernization and socioeconomic change. The primary objective of the present analysis was to examine the relationships between socioeconomic factors and stature, weight, body mass index and physical activity level of adult Cook Islanders living a largely modernized lifestyle in the Pacific Region. In a cross-sectional study of physical activity, body size and socioeconomic status, a volunteer sample of 345 Cook Islanders aged 20-65 years was obtained from the total adult population of Rarotonga, and measured at six out-patient clinics. Stature, weight, body mass index (BMI), physical activity level and age were calculated by sex and occupational category, years of education, island of birth and number of years lived on Rarotonga, respectively, using SPSSPC for Windows. Stepwise multiple regression was used to examine the relationships between stature, weight, BMI, PALweekday (a measure of physical activity level), age and non-linear functions of age, and the socioeconomic variables. These analyses indicate that the secular trend in stature is a function of the relative level of modernization on Rarotonga relative to other Cook Islands, and with level of education. These factors associate differently among males and females, the secular trend among males appearing to be a general phenomenon in response to lifestyle change associated with life on Rarotonga, while among females the trend is a function of lifestyle change associated with education and independent of island of origin. The trend toward increasing body fatness is also different for males and females. Weight declines with age for both men and women, in a linear way for the males, but in a non-linear fashion for the females. Body weight is also greater among those males in more skilled and professional occupations than among those with less-skilled professions. For the women, weight is independent of occupation category. Physical activity patterns of modernizing adult Cook Islanders show no relationships with socioeconomic variables for the males, but while older women are less active, those born on Rarotonga are less active than those born elsewhere in the Cook Islands. The number of years spent on Rarotonga shows no significant relationships with any of the physical measures, or with physical activity level. This is likely to be as much a function of small sample size as a lack of effect. Although declines in energy expenditure with increasing age have been demonstrated for both males and females in various populations around the world, on Rarotonga this holds true for females and not males, indicating that physical activity declines with increasing age in modernizing societies do not occur in uniform fashion.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Secular trend in birthweight among the Purari delta population, Papua New Guinea.

The aim of this analysis was to examine the extent and possible seasonal nature of the secular trend in mean birthweight in the Purari delta, Papua New Guinea. This is a country undergoing rapid modernization, and with this has come a secular trend toward increased adult body size in some parts of the country but not others. Birthweight data, collected by month of delivery at Kapuna Hospital in the Purari delta between the years 1969 and 1996, was analysed by year of birth and by season, using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Scheffé tests with the statistical software SPSS-PC+. A total of 927 birthweights for the years 1969, 1972, 1977, 1994 and 1996 were included in the analysis. Twin births were excluded from analysis, as were births below 1.5 kg. There is clear evidence of a secular trend in increasing mean birthweight between the period 1969 and 1996, with the largest significant difference being between 1977 and 1994, from 2.70 to 2.92 kg. There were no significant differences in mean birthweight between the sexes. The rate of birthweight increase between 1977 and 1994 was 130 g per decade, lower than the gain of 200 g per decade in the period 1994-1996. The decline in birthweight of 90 g per decade during the period 1969-1977 is not statistically significant. The proportion of infants born with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) shows an increase between 1969 and 1972, and a decline thereafter. While seasonal differences in birthweight during any of the years examined is non-significant, significantly greater mean birthweight across the period 1969-1996 was found for births during the wet season (April to July), and the drier season (August to November), respectively. The secular increase in mean birthweight is likely to be a consequence of the improvements in maternal diet and increased maternal body size that have come with economic modernization. The secular trend of seasonality in mean birthweight among the Purari delta population may be a function of seasonally varied displacement of traditional diet by non-local bought foods, as well as reduced seasonality of maternal workload associated with the processing of the traditional staple food.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increasing body size among adult cook islanders between 1966 and 1996.

There is limited evidence of a secular trend toward increased body size among populations in the Pacific Region, although some populations have shown a clear rise in overweight and obesity across the past 30 years or so. Mean height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of adults surveyed in 1996 on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands, are reported by age group and compared with data collected in 1966 by Evans and Prior, to determine the extent to which a secular trend in increasing body size has taken place across this 30-year period. In addition, a comparison of these anthropometric variables between subjects born on the most modernized island of Rarotonga with those born on other less-modernized islands is made, to determine the extent to which adult body size differs according to place of origin. Comparing the sample of those born on Rarotonga, the most modernized island, with those born on other, less modernized islands shows those born on Rarotonga to be taller, but not relatively heavier than those born elsewhere in the Cook Islands. Both males and females of the 1996 sample of adults are significantly taller, heavier, with higher BMI compared with the 1966 sample, indicating a secular trend toward increased body size across this 30-year period. The mean BMIs of the younger age groups in 1996 are greater than those of the same age groups in 1966, indicating a secular trend toward greater body fatness. There has been a significant increase in obesity among both males and females. In 1966, 14% of males had a BMI greater than 30, while in 1996, the proportion was 52%. Among females, 44% of those measured in 1966 had a BMI greater than 30, while in 1996 the proportion was 57%. The higher mean stature of younger adult males relative to older ones suggests that the secular trend toward increasing height may have been underway prior to 1966. The mean statures and weights of adults aged 60 years and older in the 1996 sample are more similar to values given for most age groups in the 1966 sample, indicating that the secular trend toward increased weight and height may have begun 50-60 years ago.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Socio-economic factors associated with physique of adults of the Purari delta of the Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.

OBJECTIVE: To examine in detail the relationships between components of the modernization process, including experience of urban life, urban connectedness, education, and the nature and diversity of income sources on adult body size in a Papua New Guinea (PNG) population. METHODS: Mean height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of 292 adults surveyed in 1995-97 in the Purari delta, PNG, are reported by age group, and related to modernization variables including urban life, urban connectedness, economic status and education. RESULTS: With respect to BMI, 23% of males and 24% of females had a BMI greater than 25, while 1% of males and 6% of females had a BMI greater than 30. There were also significant numbers of undernourished individuals, especially among the females, where 13% had BMI below 18.5, compared with 5% of males with BMI below this level. Mean stature of younger adults is greater than that of older adults. For the males, height, weight and BMI are all negatively associated with age-squared, and positively associated with income. Weight is also positively associated with having urban relatives, but not with having lived in any urban centre. For the females, height is positively associated with age-squared, weight is positively associated with both income and number of years of education, while BMI is positively associated with income, and with having urban relatives, but not with urban dwelling per se. CONCLUSIONS: The secular trend toward increasing height may have been underway since the 1950s. Income level, number of years of education and having urban relatives emerge as core factors influencing body size and fatness in the Purari population.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Ok Tedi Health and Nutrition Project, Papua New Guinea: adult physique of three populations in the North Fly region.

Adult physiques of three populations living close to a major gold and copper mine are described and compared. Men of all three groups do not differ in stature, sitting height, biceps, triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfold thicknesses. However, Wopkaimin men are heavier, with bigger mid-upper arm circumference and bi-iliac diameter than their Ningerum and Awin counterparts. Women of all three groups have similar stature, sitting height, biacromial diameter, biceps and triceps skinfold thicknesses. Wopkaimin women have greater values for mid-upper arm and calf circumference, subscapular, supra-iliac and medial calf skinfold thicknesses, and bi-iliac diameter. These differences are attributed to an increase in the plane of nutrition of the Wopkaimin, who live closest to, and have been most affected by the Ok Tedi gold and copper mining operation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Energetic cost of standard activities in Gurkha and British soldiers.

Measurements of basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure at lying, sitting, standing, and performing a step test at four levels of exercise, were made on Gurkha soldiers stationed in Britain and on British controls matched by body weight and occupational background. There was no significant difference in basal metabolic rate (BMR), nor in the energy cost of lying, sitting and standing between the two groups. Gurhas showed significantly lower gross and net energy expenditure, and so significantly greater net mechanical efficiency, at the lower levels of step exercise. The ratio of gross energy expenditure to BMR was lower in Gurkhas at the lowest rates of stepping compared with the British controls. These results suggest that the energy cost of some physical activities expressed as multiples of BMR may not be constant across populations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age at menarche of European, Afro-Caribbean and Indo-Pakistani schoolgirls living in London.

Age at menarche is reported for 1,365 European, 530 Afro-Caribbean and 282 Indo-Pakistani schoolgirls taking part in a cross-sectional anthropometric survey in the London Area Health Authorities of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster, and Brent and Harrow, in 1980-81. Mean ages at menarche are 13.59 +/- 0.37 years (European), 13.18 +/- 0.11 years (Afro-Caribbean) and 13.06 +/- 0.20 years (Indo-Pakistani). The European value is significantly higher than those for Afro-Caribbean and Indo-Pakistani girls, and for Europeans living in the same areas of London in 1966. Social class has an effect on age at menarche in Afro-Caribbean and European girls, but not Indo-Pakistani girls, whilst family size has an effect on age at menarche in Europeans and Indo-Pakistanis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Basal metabolic rate and physique of Gurkha and British soldiers stationed in Britain.

Measurements of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physique were made on Gurkha soldiers stationed in Britain, and on British controls matched by body weight and occupational background. Gurkhas were significantly shorter, with greater body mass index, calf circumference and subscapular skinfold thickness than the European controls, although there was no difference in BMR between the two groups. For the Gurkhas, linear regression analysis incorporating factors which may influence BMR showed a positive relationship between the length of time since leaving Nepal and BMR, supporting the view that Asians living in temperate regions have higher BMR than those living in the tropics.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Population and sex differences in arm circumference and skinfold thicknesses among Indo-Pakistani children living in the East Midlands of Britain.

Arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses of 2224 Indo-Pakistani children aged 3-10.9 years living in Nottingham and Leicestershire were measured. The children were classified into populations according to country of origin, and religion, prior to analysis. Significant between-population differences were shown for all three variables, the effect being stronger in males than in females. Sex differences in arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness were greater than those found in the British reference populations, whilst the patterns of fat distribution differed from the British standards for all the Indo-Pakistani populations, male and female.

Anthropometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for a secular trend in heights and weights of adults in Papua New Guinea.

Evidence for a secular change in heights and weights of adults of 13 populations in Papua New Guinea was sought by comparing data collected at two different times, using three types of source. These are: (1) values obtained from the literature; (2) previously unpublished measurements made by author; and (3) data found in the research notes of A.C. Haddon, and which were collected between 1897 and 1914. An increase in heights and weights has taken place in some, but not all, populations examined, whilst a decrease in adult body size has taken place in a smaller number of groups.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age of eruption of deciduous dentition of Anga children, Papua New Guinea.

The emergence of deciduous dentition has been reported to be slower in non-Europeans than Europeans at the earlier but not later stages, and to be little affected by nutritional status. Emergence of deciduous dentition is reported for 135 young Anga children of the highland fringe of Papua New Guinea, and compared with their nutritional status as assessed by stature for age, and weight for stature. Emergence is delayed relative to European (Canadian) reference values in all but the last deciduous teeth to emerge. It is also delayed relative to other populations in Papua New Guinea for the mid-range of deciduous teeth to emerge. This later mid-range emergence may be related to the very poor nutritional status of Anga children.

Aging↗