Growth patterns among indigenous Qom children of the Argentine Gran Chaco

Abstract

Among the Qom, low HAZ and high WAZ scores during the early years of development allow for the attainment of a relatively high adult stature. Their adaptive life-history strategy seems to be to divert energy toward body mass during early development, and catch-up with linear growth at a later stage of development. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:895-904, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cesarean birth and the growth of Yucatec Maya and Toba/Qom children

“…Interestingly, the Yucatec Maya are one of the shortest indigenous populations in Latin America, whereas the Toba/Qom are one of the tallest (Walker et al, 2006). Despite dietary and stature differences, mean body mass indices of reproductive aged women are similar across the two populations (Table 1), young children's body mass indices fall within a healthy range, and childhood obesity is rare (Alfonso-Durruty & Valeggia 2016;Urlacher & Kramer 2018;Veile & Kramer, 2017). Infant feeding practices are also similar: Yucatec Maya and Toba-Qom mothers practice widespread breastfeeding initiation, wean at 2-3 years (Table 1), introduce starchy complementary foods at 4-6 and 5-7 months, respectively, and ~77% of mothers in both populations augment breastmilk with formula or cow's milk in early infancy (Olmedo & Valeggia, 2014;Veile & Kramer, 2017b).…”

“…To illustrate this point, we compare childhood growth with respect to birth mode in two modernizing Latin American indigenous populations where cesarean deliveries are becoming common: rural Yucatec Maya maize farmers in Mexico and the periurban Argentine Toba/Qom. Childhood obesity is rare in both populations, perhaps due to direct independent protective factors such as prolonged breastfeeding, relatively low income, and relatively unsanitized environmental conditions (Alfonso-Durruty & Valeggia, 2016;Urlacher & Kramer, 2018;Valeggia & Ellison, 2004;Veile & Kramer, 2017). This research is grounded in life history theory (LHT), which is used widely to understand global variation in child growth patterns (Bogin, 1999;Eveleth & Tanner, 1990;Hochberg, 2011a;Kramer & Greaves, 2011;Kramer et al, 2009;Stinson, 2012;Wells, 2017).…”

“…American Journal of Human Biology, 29(2), e22920. 6 Alfonso-Durruty &Valeggia (2016). Growth patterns among indigenous Qom children of the Argentine Gran Chaco.…”

Height, weight and body mass index of Wichí children from Formosa, Argentina

“…11,12 Overweight values observed in this study are similar to those seen in Qom children living in rural communities in the Northwest of Argentina. 13 This indicates that rural Wichí children are part of the westernization process, characterized by the introduction of a market economy, an increased consumption of processed foods, reduced physical activity, and, in the case of Wichí groups, the cultural detraction of traditional food sources. 1,2,14,15 The social causes of overweight among Wichí children require further studies that would consider the effects of external factors, such as political and religious programs in the area, which have cut down the access to mountain products, and the detraction of the traditional lifestyle.…”

Talla, peso e índice de masa corporal en niños y niñas wichí de Formosa, Argentina

“…11,12 Los valores de sobrepeso observados en este estudio son similares a los de los niños rurales qom del noroeste de Argentina. 13 Esto indica que niños(as) rurales wichí son partícipes de los procesos de occidentalización que se caracterizan por la incorporación a una economía de mercado, un aumento del consumo de alimentos procesados, disminución de la actividad física y, en el caso de los grupos wichí, una desvalorización cultural de las fuentes de comida tradicionales. 1,2,14,15 Las causas sociales del sobrepeso en niños (as) wichí requieren de más estudios y deben considerar la acción de fuerzas externas, como los programas políticos y religiosos en la zona, que han reducido el acceso a productos del monte, y la desvalorización del modo de vida tradicional.…”