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

Abstract

Objective: This study examined changes in body fat and diet among Tsimane' forager-horticulturalists and assessed how dietary shifts relate to increases in adiposity between 2002 and 2010. Methods: Longitudinal anthropometric and household-level dietary recall data from 365 men and 339 women aged ≥20 years in the Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study were used. Multilevel mixed-effects models estimated how BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, skinfolds, and fat-free mass relate to household consumption of crops, hunted or fished foods, domesticated animal products, cooking oil, and refined grains and sugar. Results: Women's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 22.6% and 2.4% in 2002 to 28.8% and 8.9% in 2010, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.60% ± 0.12% per year (P < 0.001). Increases in fat-free mass accounted for some of this observed weight gain among women. Men's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 16.2% and 0.7% to 25.0% and 2.2%, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.22% ± 0.09% per year (P = 0.009). Household use of cooking oil increased and was positively associated with female BMI. Consumption of domesticated animal products did not change significantly but was positively associated with female BMI and male waist circumference. Conclusions: Even small increases in energy-dense market-based foods can contribute to adiposity gains among a moderately active, subsistence-based population.

The Influence of Markets on the Nutrition Transition of Hunter-Gatherers: Lessons from the Western Amazon

“…Sugar and oil consumption have increased by 15.8 g/day and 4.9 mL/day, respectively [ 27 ]. This change was reported between 2010 and 2015, but before 2010, the sugar and oil intakes were already increasing, albeit less rapidly [ 42 ]. The total dietary energy intake of market goods is estimated to be between 2% and 8% of the total dietary energy intake, with the highest percentage being the most recent [ 27 , 36 , 38 ].…”

Hydration in relation to water insecurity, heat index, and lactation status in two small‐scale populations in hot‐humid and hot‐arid environments

“…Tsimane' consume a relatively high‐carbohydrate, high‐fiber, high‐protein, low‐fat diet consisting predominantly of cultivated starchy crops (eg, plantain, rice, cassava, and maize) supplemented with lean game, freshwater fish, and occasional fruit and honey (Gurven et al, 2017; Kraft et al, 2018). Their diets are supplemented episodically and to varying degrees with purchased wheat flour, pasta, bread, cooking oil, and sugar (Bethancourt, Leonard, Tanner, Schultz, & Rosinger, 2019; Kraft et al, 2018).…”

“…There is substantial variation within and across Tsimane' communities in access to modern market economies, so consumption of purchased drinks is only episodic. Among Tsimane' communities in general, however, there has been a gradual increase in recent decades in the purchase and consumption of sugar (Bethancourt et al, 2019; Kraft et al, 2018), which is often added to water, either by itself or in combination with fruit. Tsimane' also have a history of making a beverage from cassava, plantain, or (occasionally) maize, called “chicha,” which they sometimes allow to ferment for several days.…”

Household Food Insecurity, Hair Cortisol, and Adiposity Among Tsimane’ Hunter‐Forager‐Horticulturalists in Bolivia

“…Notwithstanding, the prevalence of underweight is low among Tsimane' (21). In fact, in recent decades, gradual increases in adiposity have been observed among Tsimane' corresponding with increased incorporation of market-based foods, such as cooking oil, sugar, and wheat flour (21,22).…”