Physical activity patterns and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk in hunter-gatherers (original) (raw)
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Physical activity and blood lipids in rural and urban Tanzanians
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases: NMCD
Physical inactivity and raised blood lipids are two powerful risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Incidence and mortality from CHD are expected to increase in developing countries. However, studies on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Africa are rare. In this study we examined the level of physical activity and serum lipids in rural and urban Tanzanians. Rural and urban inhabitants, n=985, mean age 43.8 years [SD, +/-8.9] were investigated. Physical activity level (PAL) was assessed by an interview-administered questionnaire and blood samples were collected and analysed for serum lipids. The rural population (n=501) reported a substantially higher PAL than the urban population (n=484). They also had significantly lower mean weight, body mass index (BMI), T-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol, T-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, triglycerides and Apolipoprotein A-1. This study demonstrates that the urban Tanzanians have a considerably lower phy...
Effects of Hunter-Gatherer Subsistence Mode on Arterial Distensibility in Cameroonian Pygmies
Hypertension, 2012
We aimed to assess whether arterial distensibility estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) differs between Cameroon traditional pygmies (TPs) on hunter-gather subsistence mode, contemporary pygmies who migrated to semiurban area, and the Bantou farmers (BFs) sharing the same environment. For that purpose, we recorded carotid-femoral PWV (ComplioR) in age and sex carefully matched 20 TPs, 20 contemporary pygmies, and 22 BFs. Aortic AI corrected for heart rate and blood pressures were generated from pressure wave analysis (SphygmoCor). Lipid profile was determined in TP and BF participants. TPs were shorter (Pϭ0.02) with lower body weight (PϽ0.01) in comparison with contemporary pygmies and BFs. TPs had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than BFs (PϽ0.01). Their PWV (5.81Ϯ0.21 m/s) was slower (Pϭ0.006) than that of contemporary pygmies (6.82Ϯ0.36 m/s) or BFs (6.93Ϯ0.29 m/s); however, after its adjustment for age, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate, the difference was slightly attenuated (Pϭ0.051). PWV adjusted for weight did not differ between groups (Pϭ0.10). In the whole study population but not in TPs taken separately, multivariate regression analysis revealed that PWV was independently associated with mean arterial pressure, age, and TP status (PϽ0.001), whereas age, mean arterial pressure, and height emerged as independent determinants of aortic AI corrected for heart rate (PϽ0.001). Aortic AI corrected for heart rate did not differ in the 3 groups. In conclusion, hunter-gather lifestyle is associated with low atherosclerosis risk translated by lower aortic stiffness attributed at least partly to low weight and blunted effects of aging and blood pressures on TP arterial structure and function.
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...
Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in Luo, Kamba, and Maasai of rural Kenya
American Journal of Human Biology, 2012
Background: Although habitual physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) are now well-established determinants of metabolic disease, there is scarcity of such data from Africa. The aim of this study was to describe objectively measured PAEE and CRF in different ethnic populations of rural Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 1,099 rural Luo, Kamba, and Maasai of Kenya. Participants were 17-68 years old and 60.9% were women. Individual heart rate (HR) response to a submaximal steptest was used to assess CRF (estimated VO 2 max). Habitual PAEE was measured with combined accelerometry and HR monitoring, with individual calibration of HR using information from the step test. Results: Men had higher PAEE than women ($78 vs. 67kJday21kg21,respectively).CRFwassimilarinallthreepopulations(67 kJ day 21 kg 21 , respectively). CRF was similar in all three populations (67kJday21kg21,respectively).CRFwassimilarinallthreepopulations(38 and $43 mlO 2 Ákg 21 min 21 in women and men, respectively), while habitual PAEE measures were generally highest in the Maasai and Kamba. About 59% of time was spent sedentary (<1.5 METs), with Maasai women spending significantly less (55%). Both CRF and PAEE were lower in older compared to younger rural Kenyans, a difference which was most pronounced for PAEE in Maasai (26.0 and 211.9 kJ day 21 kg 21 per 10-year age difference in women and men, respectively) and for CRF in Maasai men (24.4 mlO 2 Ámin 21 kg 21 per 10 years). Adjustment for hemoglobin did not materially change these associations. Conclusion: Physical activity levels among rural Kenyan adults are high, with highest levels observed in the Maasai and Kamba. The Kamba may be most resilient to age-related declines in physical activity. Am.
BMC Public Health, 2015
Background: South East Asia (SEA) is home to over 30 tribes of indigenous population groups who are currently facing rapid socioeconomic change. Epidemiological transition and increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) has occured. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Orang Asli (OA) indigenous people comprise 0 • 6% (150,000) of the population and live in various settlements. OA comprise three distinct large tribes with smaller sub-tribes. The three large tribes include Proto-Malay (sub-tribes: Orang Seletar and Jakun), Senoi (sub-tribes: Mahmeri and Semai), and Negrito (sub-tribes: Jehai, Mendriq and Batek). Methods: We studied the health of 636 OA from seven sub-tribes in the Peninsular. Parameters that were assessed included height, weight, BMI and waist circumference whilst blood pressure, cholesterols, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels were recorded. We then analysed cardio-metabolic risk factor prevalences and performed multiple pair-wise comparisons among different sub-tribes and socioeconomic clusters. Results: Cardio-metabolic risk factors were recorded in the seven sub-tribes.. Prevalence for general and abdominal obesity were highest in the urbanized Orang Seletar (31 • 6 ± 5 • 7%; 66 • 1 ± 5 • 9%). Notably, hunter gatherer Jehai and Batek tribes displayed the highest prevalence for hypertension (43 • 8 ± 9 • 29% and 51 • 2 ± 15 • 3%) despite being the leanest and most remote, while the Mendriq sub-tribe, living in the same jungle area with access to similar resources as the Batek were less hypertensive (16.3 ± 11.0%), but displayed higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (27.30 ± 13.16%).
Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, 2021
Migration of modern man out of Africa led to differential environmental exposures. Our ancestors, who settle to hot and humid climate, maintained genes for heat adaptation developing low resting metabolism thereby, leading to susceptibility to obesity. Recent shift to sedentary lifestyle among the Asian Indians have further aggravated the risk of CVD. A multi-ethnic study of nine tribal groups from three states of India was undertaken comprising 2156 participants (including 1055 males and 1090 females) aged >=20 years. Anthropometry, blood pressures, blood glucose, and body composition were all measured using standard techniques. The average resting metabolism is very low among both male (1300 Kcal) and female (1000 Kcal). The prevalence of low physical activity is very high both in males and females (males=26.1 % and females=29.7%). There is a significant correlation (p<0.001) between resting metabolism and CVD risks factors even after controlling of age, sex, ethnicity, and physical activity. The significant predictors for resting metabolism, fat free mass, and percentage body fat were found to be waist circumference, and body mass index. Low resting metabolism due to long antiquity of adaptation to hot climates with recent shift to low physical activity were found to have a significant association with CVD risks among the tribal groups of Indian subcontinent making them genetically disadvantageous. Maintaining higher resting metabolic rate through active lifestyle seems to be of utmost importance for better cardiovascular health among the people of Indian origin.
Social science & medicine (1982), 2018
Many hunter-gatherer groups live on the outskirts of wider society, experiencing poor health outcomes with little access to medical care. From a development perspective, key interventions include the sedentarisation of these mobile peoples into camps nearby larger towns with sanitation infrastructure and medical care, as increased access to services is assumed to improve outcomes. However, recent research in the Agta (Philippine foragers from North-east Luzon) has demonstrated that individuals residing in more 'developed' communities suffer from increased morbidity and mortality. Here, using quantitative and ethnographic data on health collected between 2002 and 2014, we explore why this trend occurs by examining the relationship between key development initiatives with self-reported illness and the uptake of medical interventions with 415 Agta men, women and children. We demonstrate that health outcomes worsen as sedentarisation progresses, despite some increases in medical...
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.
American Journal of Human Biology, 2013
This study explores whether cardiovascular fitness levels and senescent decline are similar in the Tsimane of Bolivia and Canadians, as well as other subsistence and industrialized populations. Among Tsimane, we examine whether morbidity predicts lower levels and faster decline of cardiovascular fitness, or whether their lifestyle (e.g., high physical activity) promotes high levels and slow decline. Alternatively, high activity levels and morbidity might counterbalance such that Tsimane fitness levels and decline are similar to those in industrialized populations. Methods: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) was estimated using a step test heart rate method for 701 participants. We compared these estimates to the Canadian Health Measures Survey and previous studies in industrialized and subsistence populations. We evaluated whether health indicators and proxies for market integration were associated with VO 2 max levels and rate of decline for the Tsimane. Results: The Tsimane have significantly higher levels of VO 2 max and slower rates of decline than Canadians; initial evidence suggests differences in VO 2 max levels between other subsistence and industrialized populations. Low hemoglobin predicts low VO 2 max for Tsimane women while helminth infection predicts high VO 2 max for Tsimane men, though results might be specific to the VO 2 max scaling parameter used. No variables tested interact with age to moderate decline. Conclusions: The Tsimane demonstrate higher levels of cardiovascular fitness than industrialized populations, but levels similar to other subsistence populations. The high VO 2 max of Tsimane is consistent with their high physical activity and few indicators of cardiovascular disease, measured in previous studies. Am.