Effects of Hunter-Gatherer Subsistence Mode on Arterial Distensibility in Cameroonian Pygmies (original) (raw)
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Physical activity patterns and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk in hunter-gatherers
American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council, 2016
Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health, yet few humans living in industrialized societies meet current recommendations (150 min/week). Researchers have long suggested that human physiological requirements for aerobic exercise reflect an evolutionary shift to a hunting and gathering foraging strategy, and a recent transition to more sedentary lifestyles likely represents a mismatch with our past in terms of physical activity. The goal of this study is to explore this mismatch by characterizing MVPA and cardiovascular health in the Hadza, a modern hunting and gathering population living in Northern Tanzania. We measured MVPA using continuous heart rate monitoring in 46 participants recruited from two Hadza camps. As part of a larger survey of health in the Hadza, we measured blood pressure (n = 198) and biomarkers of cardiovascular health (n = 23) including C-reactive protein, cholesterol (Total, HDL, and LDL), and tr...
Ethnic differences in arterial stiffness the Helius study
International Journal of Cardiology, 2015
Objective: Well-known ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk exist, which may be explained by ethnic differences in arterial stiffness. Our aim was to assess ethnic differences in arterial stiffness, to explore whether these differences are accounted for by conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and study whether they differ across age. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 1797 Dutch, 1846 South-Asian Surinamese, 1840 African Surinamese, and 1673 Ghanaian participants of the observational HELIUS study (aged 18-70 years) were used. Arterial stiffness was assessed by duplicate pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements using the Arteriograph system. Results: Linear regression showed that South-Asian Surinamese had higher PWVs as compared with Dutch (ageadjusted mean difference (95% CI) was 0.55 (0.39-0.70) m/s in men and 0.82 (0.63-1.01) m/s in women). These differences were largely, but not completely, explained by conventional risk factors (particularly age and MAP). These ethnic differences were not found at young age (b35 years). African Surinamese and Ghanaians had higher PWVs as compared with Dutch across the entire age range (ranging from 0.22 (0.06-0.39) m/s in African Surinamese men to 1.07 (0.89-1.26) m/s in Ghanaian women), but these differences disappeared or reversed after adjustment for risk factors. Conclusions: PWV levels paralleled the well-known ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, however, these ethnic differences in PWV largely disappear. Together with the absence of ethnic differences in PWV at young age, our results support the hypothesis that higher PWV in South-Asian and African ethnic groups develops due to higher exposure to cardiovascular risk factors.
Blood pressure (BP) increases with age in westernized societies, is higher in men, and is correlated with the body mass index (BMI). Traditional societies present more variable patterns of BP. In 1991, BP and anthropometric data from two " Caboclo " (rural populations of mixed ancestry) groups from Marajo Island, Brazil, were collected: The Paricatuba group, (N = 20: 12 women), with a subsistence base of fishing, collection of palm fruits, and traditional gardening; and the Praia Grande group (N = 26; 14 women), where subsistence is based on mechanized agriculture. In Paricatuba, mean BP is 109/74 mmHg in men and 101/70 mmHg in women. There are no significant differences between BP of men and women, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases with age. Both SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are associated with weight, but only DBP is associated with the BMI, while SBP is associated with stature. In Praia Grande, mean BP is 120/76 mmHg in men and 118/70 mmHg in women, with no significant differences between the sexes. In Praia Grande, SBP is higher than in Paricatuba, and both SBP and DBP are associated with age. Compared with urban groups, both Caboclo samples have low BP. Still, differences in BP and body habitus between the two groups support a hypothesis that degree of westernization influences mean levels of BP in rural Amazonian populations. Further, the results also may be interpreted as suggesting that associations of sex, age, and BMI with BP, commonly reported in urban samples, are a byproduct of westernization rather than a result of genetic factors. Q 1995 Wiley-Liss. Inc
Cardiovascular risk factors with an emphasis on hypertension in the Mura Indians from Amazonia
BMC Public Health
Background: The Brazilian indigenous population is currently undergoing a process of epidemiological transition regarding the occurrence of communicable diseases, malnutrition and non-communicable chronic diseases. Chronic non-infectious diseases are the most common causes of death worldwide, and hypertension is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, the main objective of this paper was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, with an emphasis on hypertension, in the Mura Indians living in the municipality of Autazes in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 455 natives (57.8% women, 42.2 ± 16.7 years) selected by simple random sampling. Sociodemographic variables, habits and lifestyles, anthropometric data, fasting glycaemia and lipid profiles were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured with a validated automatic device. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 26.6%. The other cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: increased waisthip ratio (85.1%); increased neck circumference (60.2%); increased waist circumference (48.6%); overweight (57. 1%); physical inactivity (52.7%); use of alcoholic beverages (40.2%); high total cholesterol (27.5%); increased triglycerides (23.5%); smoking (20.4%); and diabetes mellitus (3.0%). In relation to non-hypertensive individuals, indigenous hypertensive individuals were (p ≤ 0.05) older and had a higher proportion of individuals living with partners and individuals who were retired, as well as a lower level of schooling and higher family income. The indigenous people living in urban areas had a higher prevalence of hypertension than did those living in rural areas. In relation to habits and lifestyles, hypertensive Indians had a lower prevalence of smoking, higher frequency of the use of animal fat during meal preparation, lower frequency of vegetable oil use and lower frequency of salt addition to already-prepared meals. An assessment of anthropometric variables and laboratory markers showed that the hypertensive indigenous individuals had higher values of body mass index, neck circumference, waist circumference, visceral fat, Conicity Index, and body fat than did the non-hypertensive individuals. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and other important cardiovascular risk factors in the Mura Indians was high. This finding is probably due to the adoption of inappropriate habits and lifestyles.
ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of, and understand the factors associated with, hypertension among the nomadic Raute hunter-gatherers of Western Nepal.DesignA mixed-method study.SettingThe study was carried out at Raute temporary campsites in the Surkhet District of Karnali Province between May to September 2021.ParticipantsThe questionnaire-based survey included all males and non-pregnant females of the nomadic Raute group aged 15 years and above. In-depth interviews were conducted among purposively selected 15 Raute participants and four non-Raute key informants to help explain and enrich the quantitative findings.Outcome measuresThe prevalence of hypertension (defined as brachial artery blood pressure of systolic≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic≥90 mm Hg) and its socio-demographic, anthropometric, and behavioral covariates.ResultsOf the 85 eligible participants, 81 [median age 35 years (interquartile range: 26–51), 46.9% female] were included in the final analysis. Hypertension w...
American journal of …, 2008
nature publishing group articles See REVIEWER COMMENTARY page 851 The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing in young-to middle-aged groups. 1,2 Excess adiposity contributes to adverse cardiovascular outcomes 3-5 not only by promoting the development of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, 5 but also through alternative effects. One such effect may be through an increase in arterial stiffness, 6-11 which in itself is an independent predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. 12-23 Despite the consistency in the reports demonstrating relationships between indexes of adiposity and arterial stiffness, 6-11 there is controversy as to whether this relationship is independent of factors such as age, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and diabetes mellitus. In this regard, although adiposity is associated with pulse-wave velocity (PWV), a simple and reliable index of arterial stiffness that is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, 4-18,20-22 some studies have, 7-10 while most others have not, 24-31 been able to demonstrate strong relationships between adiposity indexes and PWV independent of age, hemodynamic factors, and diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, convincing independent relationships between clinical indexes of adiposity and PWV have been obtained in elderly populations, 7,8 while substantial evidence against a strong independent relationship between adiposity and PWV has been noted in samples that are predominantly young-to-middle aged. 24-31 Thus, the hemodynamic and glucose control-independent effect of adiposity on PWV may be age-dependent. Consequently, in the present study we sought to determine whether age influences the independent relationship between adiposity indexes and PWV or other indexes of large artery dysfunction. METhOdS Study subjects. The study was approved by the University of the Witwatersrand Committee for Research in Human Subjects (approval number: M02-04-72). Participants gave informed, written consent. This study is part of the ongoing African Project on Genes in Hypertension, which has been described previously. 32-34 A total of 671 South African subjects of black African ancestry from nuclear families of the
Does Blood Pressure Inevitably Rise With Age? Longitudinal Evidence Among Forager-Horticulturalists
The rise in blood pressure with age is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Age-related increases in blood pressure have been observed in almost every population, except among hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists. Here we tested for age-related increases in blood pressure among Tsimane forager-farmers. We also test whether lifestyle changes associated with modernization lead to higher blood pressure and a greater rate of age-related increase in blood pressure. We measured blood pressure longitudinally on 2248 adults age ≥20 years (n=6468 observations over 8 years). Prevalence of hypertension was 3.9% for women and 5.2% for men, although diagnosis of persistent hypertension based on multiple observations reduced prevalence to 2.9% for both sexes. Mixed-effects models revealed systolic, diastolic, and pulse blood pressure increases of 2.86 (P<0.001), 0.95 (P<0.001), and 1.95 mmHg (P<0.001) per decade for women and 0.91 (P<0.001), 0.93 (P<0.001), and −0.02 mmHg (P=0.93) for men, substantially lower than rates found elsewhere. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and Spanish fluency, had minimal effect on mean blood pressure and no effect on age-related increases in blood pressure. Greater town proximity was associated with a lower age-related increase in pulse pressure. Effects of modernization were, therefore, deemed minimal among Tsimane, in light of their lean physique, active lifestyle, and protective diet.
Low BMI is inversely associated with arterial stiffness in Africans
British Journal of Nutrition, 2015
In low socio-economic status communities in South Africa, African men showed a low BMI. Data on the effect of low BMI on cardiovascular function are scant. The present study aimed to assess the associations between low BMI and markers of cardiovascular function such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure in Africans aged 35–65 years, with low socio-economic status. The study population (n 496) was stratified into a low-BMI group with BMI ≤ 20 kg/m2 and a normal-BMI group with BMI >20 kg/m2 and ≤ 25 kg/m2. Blood pressure (Omron HEM-757) and PWV (Complior SP; Artech-Medical) was determined. Africans with low BMI showed an increased arterial stiffness with significantly higher PWV compared with the normal-BMI group (men: P= 0·001; women: P= 0·026), which remained after adjustment. In men with low BMI, PWV correlated negatively with BMI before (r − 0·204; P= 0·012) and after (r − 0·200; P= 0·020) adjustment. Forward stepwise regression analyses indicated a negative associati...