Indigenous populations in transition: An evaluation of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among the Toba of northern Argentina

Abstract

Background The health problems associated with rapidly changing lifestyles in indigenous populations, e.g., cardiovascular disease, are becoming a public health concern. Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and analyze the metabolic conditions that define this syndrome, in an indigenous Toba community of northern Argentina. Subjects and Methods A total of 275 adults participated in this study. Anthropometric (BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference) and clinical measures (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides) were taken. Pearson and logistic regressions were used in the statistical analysis of risk factors for metabolic syndrome by sex and by reproductive status in women. Results The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 38%. Nearly a third (31%) of the population was overweight and 45%, obese. Men had significantly higher blood pressure and levels of triglycerides than women, while women had higher percentages of body fat. BMI was significantly associated with most of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Menopausal women had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than women of reproductive age. Conclusion Metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent in this indigenous community, which places them at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease

Longitudinal Changes in Measures of Body Fat and Diet Among Adult Tsimane’ Forager‐Horticulturalists of Bolivia, 2002‐2010

“…Sustained physical activity levels and persistent reliance on low‐fat, less calorically dense, subsistence‐based foods may help explain why Tsimane’ prevalence of obesity remained below those reported for other indigenous populations in lowland South America around the same time period, including Toba women and men (~ 45%) of Argentina in 2010 , Wichí women and men (~ 15%) of Argentina in 2005 , Mbyá women and men (~ 15%) of Argentina in 2003 , and Suruí women (~ 25%) and men (~ 12%) of Brazil in 2005 . A shift from reliance on slash‐and‐burn agriculture, hunting, fishing, and foraging to more market‐purchased foods, such as refined flour, pasta, oil, and fatty meats, have been noted in studies of other South American indigenous populations .…”

Growth patterns among indigenous Qom children of the Argentine Gran Chaco

“…Unlike non-Native Argentines, the Qom show a positive association between socioeconomic status and BMI (Valeggia et al, 2010), which has been observed in other Argentinean indigenous groups (Orden and Oyhenart, 2006;Romaguera et al, 2008) for whom heavy individuals are regarded as "healthy" (Valeggia et al, 2010). Moreover, a previous study has shown that Westernized Qom adults show a prevalence of obesity that is above 45% (Lagranja et al, 2015). It is important to note, however, that Qom WAZ scores are very close to the Argentine median (Lejarraga et al, 2009), which, when contrasted with the high BMIZ scores of these children, indicate that the Argentine reference for weight is skewed toward the right, further highlighting the importance of applying international standards (de Onis and Lobstein, 2010).…”

“…Changes in diet associated with urbanization have been reported in other studies, where geographic location plays an important role (Lazarou and Kalavana, 2009). Moreover, a previous study has shown that Westernized Qom adults show a prevalence of obesity that is above 45% (Lagranja et al, 2015). Unlike non-Native Argentines, the Qom show a positive association between socioeconomic status and BMI (Valeggia et al, 2010), which has been observed in other Argentinean indigenous groups (Orden and Oyhenart, 2006;Romaguera et al, 2008) for whom heavy individuals are regarded as "healthy" (Valeggia et al, 2010).…”

Metabolic Syndrome in Indigenous Amerindian Women in Suriname; Less on Waist and More on Weight?

“…Most studies of Indigenous people in South America reveal a relatively high prevalence of low HDL-C and increased WC for women [24,[27][28][29]. High obesity (BMI>30) prevalences were particularly more frequently observed in Indigenous populations with an acculturated sedentary life style [9,30,31]. A study among the Xavante living in a reservation in Brazil revealed a high prevalence of MeTS of 66% [9].…”