American Journal Of Human Biology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Breastfeeding Might Be Associated With Vitamin D and Cortisol Concentration Among Children Aged 6-13 Years.
Opoka A, Pruszkowska-Przybylska P, Żądzińska E
Am J Hum Biol · 2026 Jan · PMID 41502148 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate if the type of feeding (breastfeeding/formula feeding) and the duration of breastfeeding (in months) may have long-term effects on vitamin D concentrations and cortiso...
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate if the type of feeding (breastfeeding/formula feeding) and the duration of breastfeeding (in months) may have long-term effects on vitamin D concentrations and cortisol levels in children aged 6-13 years. Additionally, we examined if family socio-economic status (SES) level modifies these relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included 170 children (92 girls and 78 boys) aged 6-13 years. The study comprised a parental questionnaire and laboratory analyses. The questionnaire included information on the diet during the first months of life and the family's standard of living. The laboratory analyses measured 25(OH)D and cortisol concentrations in saliva using an ELISA assay. To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding, vitamin D, and cortisol among children, several statistical tests were conducted, including the Chi2 test, the U-Mann-Whitney test, Kendall's Tau correlation, and multivariate and stepwise backward regression. RESULTS: Breastfed girls had notably higher cortisol concentrations than boys (Z = 1.9885; p = 0.0468). In addition, for girls, there was a significant positive correlation between the length of breastfeeding and cortisol concentrations (τ = 0.2299). The concentration of cortisol was found to have a significant positive correlation with the concentration of vitamin D (τ = 0.1630). Breastfeeding duration (in months) was found to have a significant positive correlation with vitamin D concentration in males (τ = 0.1791). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the concentration of vitamin D and cortisol (τ = 0.2035). The multiple regression model revealed a significant positive correlation between breastfeeding duration (in months) and cortisol concentration in boys (Beta = 0.532; p < 0.0001). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between cortisol concentration and vitamin D concentration in boys (Beta = 0.217; p = 0.0284). In contrast to boys, vitamin D concentrations in girls were found to have a positive correlation with the season of the study, specifically in late spring (Beta = 0.379; p = 0.0002). Additionally, backward stepwise regression indicated in boys a significant positive correlation between breastfeeding and cortisol levels (Beta = 0.620; p < 0.0001) and a positive correlation between cortisol levels and vitamin D levels (Beta = 0.222; p = 0.0247). Backward stepwise regression analysis also showed a significant positive correlation between vitamin D levels and high family SES (Beta = 0.258; p = 0.0250). In contrast to boys, only the vitamin D levels in girls showed a positive correlation with the season of the study, specifically in late spring (Beta = 0.385; p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding is related to significantly higher levels of cortisol and vitamin D at ages 6-13 years. Additionally, higher SES of boys is associated with higher levels of vitamin D.
Genetic Ancestry of the Mexican Population: Diversity and Implications for Health Research.
Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Fritz J
Am J Hum Biol · 2026 Jan · PMID 41502137 · Publisher ↗
Mexico's population is often perceived, particularly in U.S. discourse, as genetically homogeneous. This misconception arises from a broader tendency to treat "Mexicans" or "Latinos" as a monolithic category, obscuring h...
Mexico's population is often perceived, particularly in U.S. discourse, as genetically homogeneous. This misconception arises from a broader tendency to treat "Mexicans" or "Latinos" as a monolithic category, obscuring historical, cultural, and genetic differences. In fact, Mexico is a highly genetically diverse country. Centuries of admixture among Indigenous, European, and African populations have created complex ancestry patterns that vary by geography, sex-biased lineages, and fine-scale Indigenous substructure. Indigenous groups alone exhibit levels of differentiation comparable to those observed between continental populations, and these distinctions remain detectable in contemporary admixed Mexicans. Such diversity has tangible biomedical consequences: reported ancestry-associated variation in lung function, pharmacogenomic responses, and the discovery of the diabetes-associated SLC16A11 variant illustrate how studies in Mexicans can reveal genetic and health insights that may be invisible in more homogeneous populations. Implications extend well beyond Mexico. More than 37 million people of Mexican origin reside in the United States, forming the largest Latino subgroup, and their genetic ancestry mirrors that of populations in Mexico. Moreover, the European and African components of Mexico's admixture contribute to findings of broader applicability, underscoring that research in Mexico is not only relevant to Latinos but to human populations more generally. Recognizing Mexico's genetic diversity is therefore essential for building more accurate, inclusive, and equitable biomedical knowledge.
Social Mobility of the Father and Relative Body Weight of Offspring: A Three-Generation Study.
Gomula A, Nowak-Szczepanska N, Zaręba M … +1 more , Kozieł S
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41457380 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the relation between intergenerational social mobility and body mass index (BMI) across three generations, focusing on age and sex differences. METHODS: The sample consisted of four ch...
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the relation between intergenerational social mobility and body mass index (BMI) across three generations, focusing on age and sex differences. METHODS: The sample consisted of four child cohorts (born in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1988) measured annually from 6 to 11, 9 to 14, 11 to 16, and 14 to 18 years of age, examined between 1994 and 1999 in Poland. Body height and weight were recorded for 4196 grandfather-father-son/daughter triplets. BMI was calculated and standardized for age (Z-BMI). Social mobility was classified as upward, downward, "lower" stable, and "upper" stable. Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to assess the relationship between social mobility and Z-BMI across different age groups and sexes. RESULTS: In the parental generation, a significant effect of upward mobility was found in fathers. In the third generation, girls from "upper" group had significantly higher Z-BMI in comparison with "lower" and upwardly mobile peers, while boys from "upper" and upwardly mobile groups had significantly higher Z-BMI compared to the "lower" group. When analyzing specific age cohorts, significant effects were found in the two youngest cohorts, where children from the "upper" group had higher Z-BMI compared to their "lower" peers; moreover, the youngest children from upwardly mobile families had higher Z-BMI compared to the "lower" counterparts. Among adolescent girls born in 1983, the significant association between social mobility and BMI showed an emerging marginal trend in the opposite direction. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified age- and sex-related variation in the associations between intergenerational social mobility and BMI, contributing to a broader understanding of how intergenerational processes relate to physical development.
Total Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity Profiles Among Reindeer Herders and Office Workers of Northern Finland.
Stenbäck V, Turunen M, Soppela P … +2 more , Herzig KH, Ocobock C
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41456939 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: In the Arctic, climate change increases extreme weather events and unpredictability, affects food chains, increases transportational needs, and decreases physical activity (PA) and estimated total energy expe...
OBJECTIVES: In the Arctic, climate change increases extreme weather events and unpredictability, affects food chains, increases transportational needs, and decreases physical activity (PA) and estimated total energy expenditure (eTEE). Thus, understanding how climate change affects inhabitants of different environments is increasingly important. The reindeer herders of Finnish Lapland are exposed to changing weather conditions year-round and have a highly physically demanding occupation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied eTEE, physical activity level (PAL), and PA profiles of reindeer herders (n = 10) and office workers (n = 13) in the Inari Municipality area in Finland February of 2023 as a pilot study. eTEE was estimated using the FLEX-HR method and PA parameters were measured using accelerometry. RESULTS: We did not observe any statistically significant differences between the occupations, but there was a trend of reindeer herders being heavier, having more muscle mass, and greater eTEEs relative to office workers. eTEE for herders was 2887.1 ± 1675.4 and 2038.9 ± 593.1 kcal/day for office workers. DISCUSSION: With the seasonal nature of reindeer herding, February is a period of relative ease following the physically demanding round-up period that lasts from September to January, which may explain these results. Furthermore, large variation in the main variables of eTEE and PAL highlights the need for a larger study population. Therefore, a seasonal assessment of PA and eTEE patterns in this unique population where herders and office workers live close to one another and share multiple lifestyle aspects in the rapidly warming Arctic is needed.
Obesity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Sex-Specific Sociocultural Determinants in High-Risk Rural Punjab, India.
Singh TS, Devi NK, Saraswathy KN … +3 more , Mitra RP, Pandey R, Lalnuneng A
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41424332 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a critical public health challenge in South Asia, yet region-specific data remain limited. This study examines the prevalence and sex-specific sociodemographic, economic, and behavioral determinant...
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a critical public health challenge in South Asia, yet region-specific data remain limited. This study examines the prevalence and sex-specific sociodemographic, economic, and behavioral determinants of obesity in rural Punjab, India. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 2349 adults in Mansa district, Punjab, assessed general obesity using BMI and central obesity by WC, WHR, and WHtR. Structured interviews captured sociodemographic, economic, and behavioral data. Sex-stratified logistic regression models estimated AORs for obesity. RESULTS: General obesity was high (69.6%), with central obesity more pronounced (WC: 76%; WHtR: 85.8%; WHR: 93.4%). Females had significantly higher obesity risk (WC and WHR) than males. In males, obesity risk peaked at ages 40-49 (BMI, WC, and WHtR) and 50-59 (WHR), while females' risk increased from 50 years (WC) and ≥ 60 years (WHR and WHtR). Education and income showed sex-specific associations: primary education increased females' risk (WC), and senior secondary and higher increased males' risk (BMI) compared with those with no formal education but decreased at higher education levels in females. Higher income increased obesity risk in males (BMI, WC, and WHtR). Belonging to the Jatt Sikh community and sedentary behavior increased obesity risk in both sexes. CONCLUSION: The higher central obesity among women reflects gendered vulnerabilities shaped by socioeconomic and educational disparities. The coexistence of high central obesity and sedentary behavior in a transitioning rural context highlights the shifting sociocultural landscape of obesity in LMICs. Age-related decrease in general but persistent central obesity warrants longitudinal biocultural investigations.
Growth Patterns and Permanent Tooth Eruption in 5-18-Year-Old School Children of Chennai, India: A Correlational Analysis.
Vandana S, Muthu MS, Kandaswamy D … +1 more , Aswath Narayanan MB
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41422393 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the relationship between the eruption timing of permanent teeth and anthropological assessments (height and weight) in children from Chennai, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross...
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the relationship between the eruption timing of permanent teeth and anthropological assessments (height and weight) in children from Chennai, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed, and 12650 children were selected using a multistage random sampling method. The clinical eruption status of all permanent teeth was evaluated using a novel grading system, and correlational analysis determined the relationship between height/weight and tooth eruption age. RESULTS: The study found statistically significant associations between tooth eruption ages and both height and weight. While the correlation for height was weak and non-significant (r = -0.023 to 0.151, including zero), the correlation for weight was more pronounced (r = 0.044 to 0.519). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that both height and weight are significantly associated with tooth eruption ages, but weight has a stronger and more consistent influence. Individuals with obesity tend to experience delayed tooth eruption.
A Competitive Immunoassay for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Dried Blood Spots.
Hinz E, Miller AA, Pontzer H
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41405485 · Publisher ↗
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a steroid hormone commonly measured to assess neuroendocrine activity related to HPA-axis function, stress physiology, and broader health outcomes, with significance for Human B...
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a steroid hormone commonly measured to assess neuroendocrine activity related to HPA-axis function, stress physiology, and broader health outcomes, with significance for Human Biology research. To facilitate research assessing DHEA-S concentrations using minimally invasive sample collection methods, we present validation results for a competitive immunoassay to quantify DHEA-S in dried blood spots (DBS) collected via finger prick. Results demonstrate acceptable levels of inter- and intra-assay variation, linearity of dilution, lowest limit of detection, and agreement between matched DBS and plasma samples (Pearson's R = 0.96). The protocol presented here using a modified commercially available assay kit offers a practical alternative for evaluating DHEA-S in a wide range of settings.
A Pilot Study Exploring Biobehavioral, Psychosocial, and Demographic Factors Associated With Central Blood Pressure in Resettled Refugees in Syracuse, New York.
Sous W, Sharma A, Shaw AV … +3 more , Heckel AR, Heffernan KS, Mutambudzi M
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41399142 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Exposure to stressful and life-threatening events before resettlement, coupled with the acculturation challenges of adjusting to an unfamiliar host country post-relocation, may increase the risk for cardiovas...
OBJECTIVES: Exposure to stressful and life-threatening events before resettlement, coupled with the acculturation challenges of adjusting to an unfamiliar host country post-relocation, may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in refugees. This pilot study examined the association between psychosocial-demographic factors with central blood pressure (BP), an established independent predictor of CVD, among resettled refugees living in Syracuse, New York. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven first-generation resettled refugees receiving primary care services in the ambulatory Adult Medicine Clinic at an academic institution were recruited for the study during their clinic visit. Central systolic BP and pulse pressure (PP) were measured from brachial pulse wave analysis using a validated cuff-based oscillometric device. The relationship between psychosocial-demographic factors and central BP measures was assessed using forward stepwise linear regression. RESULTS: Age (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.40) and BMI (β = 0.77, 95% CI 0.39-1.16) were associated with an increased central systolic BP (p < 0.05). Age (β = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.28) and BMI (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.13-0.62) were also associated with an increased central PP (p < 0.05). Other psychosocial-demographic factors such as non-engagement in the workforce due to disability, smoking, alcohol use, mental health disorders, history of chronic disease, employment, and educational attainment were not associated with increased central BP. CONCLUSIONS: Among the various psychosocial-demographic CVD risk factors assessed in our study, traditional risk factors age and BMI were significant predictors of central BP in resettled refugees.
Physical Activity and Sex Steroid Hormones in Women: A Prospective Study.
Słojewska K, Galbarczyk A, Klimek M … +2 more , Blukacz M, Jasienska G
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41399028 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Female reproductive function is sensitive to energetic stress and reacts to negative energy balance with reproductive suppression. This sensitivity is important for understanding human reproduction from an ev...
OBJECTIVES: Female reproductive function is sensitive to energetic stress and reacts to negative energy balance with reproductive suppression. This sensitivity is important for understanding human reproduction from an evolutionary perspective and also for the prevention of chronic diseases, especially hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer. High estradiol and progesterone levels increase cancer risk, and regular exercise may lower these hormones and cumulative hormonal exposure. This study examined the effects of increased physical activity during consecutive menstrual cycles on estradiol, progesterone, and the frequency of ovulation in healthy women. METHODS: Data were collected from 135 healthy, urban women who participated in the project for three consecutive menstrual cycles. In cycle 1, participants maintained their habitual activity; in cycles 2 and 3, they were requested to engage in at least 180 min per week of moderate physical activity. Physical activity was measured with wristband accelerometers. Estradiol and progesterone were assessed from daily saliva samples in cycles 1 and 3. Ovulation was monitored using urinary luteinizing hormone tests. RESULTS: Average daily step counts increased by ~14% from cycle 1 to cycle 2, with no further rise in cycle 3. Greater increases in daily steps from cycle 1 to cycle 3 were significantly associated with lower progesterone levels in cycle 3, after adjusting for baseline activity, baseline hormone levels, and body fat. Physical activity did not have a significant effect on estradiol. The occurrence of ovulation declined from 70% in cycle 1 to 39% in cycle 3, but it was not related to step counts or their changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that energy expenditure alone, even when not leading to negative energy balance, is sufficient to cause modest changes in ovarian function. Even moderate increases in physical activity can lower progesterone levels, reducing the chance of conception in a cycle and also the cumulative lifetime hormonal exposure. These findings highlight the importance of encouraging regular physical activity, particularly in premenopausal women, as a strategy to modulate hormone levels, maintain reproductive health, and potentially reduce the long-term risk of hormone-related cancers.
Early Marriage, Preterm Birth, and School Dropout: An Intergenerational Cycle of Risk?
Wells JC, Noviyanti Q, Marphatia AA … +1 more , Rougeaux E
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41392805 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Across generations, girls' early marriage recurs in high-risk groups; however there is poor understanding of how behavior and biology interact in this context. We hypothesized an intergenerational cycle of ri...
BACKGROUND: Across generations, girls' early marriage recurs in high-risk groups; however there is poor understanding of how behavior and biology interact in this context. We hypothesized an intergenerational cycle of risk, linking early marriage, preterm birth, and school dropout, and evaluated evidence for specific components of this cycle in low-/middle-income countries. METHODS: We conducted a systematized review, searching articles published from 2000 to 2025. We tested four hypotheses. H1: early marriage is associated with preterm birth; H2: preterm birth is associated with low educational attainment; H3: school dropout is associated with early marriage. Hypothesis-specific search terms and eligibility criteria were applied. We also tested hypothesis H4: preterm birth is associated with reduced cognitive function, by evaluating systematic reviews of research from any setting. RESULTS: We identified 184 empirical articles for H1-H3, with 26 satisfying the criteria for full review, and 5 systematic reviews for H4. The available evidence supported H1 and H3, but was weak for H2. For H3, studies indicated contrasting directions of association. The systematic reviews demonstrated evidence supporting H4. The majority of empirical studies reviewed had a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: An intergenerational cycle of risk linking early marriage, preterm delivery and low educational attainment is plausible, involving both behavioral pathways (e.g., school dropout and early marriage) and biological mechanisms (e.g., preterm birth and cognitive function). Few studies have investigated the prospective associations of preterm birth with school outcomes, or school dropout with early marriage, in low- and middle-income countries.
Contextualizing Population Genetic Models of Sex-Biased Migration and Admixture.
Miyagi M, Huerta-Sánchez E, Richardson SS
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41392778 · Publisher ↗
Models of sex-biased migration or admixture in human history often use sex itself as the factor that controls the probability that an individual migrates. This modeling strategy unites work across a large range of times...
Models of sex-biased migration or admixture in human history often use sex itself as the factor that controls the probability that an individual migrates. This modeling strategy unites work across a large range of times and populations, from Neanderthal archaic introgression to the consequences of colonialism. However, inferring the degree of sex bias in a migration event from a general model relies on the assumption that two equally sex-biased events should leave equivalent signals, on average, in the genome. We apply a contextualist view of sex to highlight the possible effects of intrasexual variation on the inference of sex-biased migration when individuals within a sex category are not exchangeable. Using simulations, we demonstrate that demographically identical migration events can leave distinguishable patterns of ancestry in the genome and argue that modeling intrasexual variation can be an important step in capturing the signals of sex-biased migration.
Trends in Height and Body Mass Among Adolescents Between 2002-2003 and 2019-2021 in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Li C, Wang X
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41388699 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To assess secular trends in height and body mass among adolescents from 2002-2003 to 2019-2021 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. METHODS: Height and body mass data for Hong Kong adolescent...
OBJECTIVE: To assess secular trends in height and body mass among adolescents from 2002-2003 to 2019-2021 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. METHODS: Height and body mass data for Hong Kong adolescents aged 12-17 years were obtained from the Survey on Physical Fitness Status of Hong Kong School Pupils in 2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2009-2010, 2014-2015, and 2019-2021. Gender-specific two-way analysis of variance with age and wave as main factors, and age-by-wave as the interaction, was used to estimate the differences. The pace of secular trends was expressed as the changes every five years across adjacent waves. RESULTS: During the entire period, the average height increased by 2.0 cm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4 to 2.6 cm) among boys and 1.8 cm (95% CI: 1.3 to 2.3 cm) among girls, while average body mass increased by 4.4 kg (95% CI: 3.4 to 5.5 kg) and 2.1 kg (95% CI: 1.4 to 2.9 kg), respectively. Significant increases were observed in most age groups. The greatest increases in height occurred between 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 among boys and between 2014-2015 and 2019-2021 among girls. The greatest increases in body mass among boys occurred between 2014-2015 and 2019-2021. The increases in body mass among girls were relatively stable. CONCLUSION: The height and body mass have increased among Hong Kong adolescents during the past nearly two decades. The downward trend in height and the upward trend in body mass among boys is concerning, and future health promotion strategies should prioritize them.
Beyond Hemoglobin Concentration: How Intravascular Volume Measurements Can Advance Our Understanding of High-Altitude Adaptation.
Tremblay JC, Siebenmann C, Stembridge M
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41355575 · Full text
Hemoglobin concentration is often interpreted as a marker for total hemoglobin mass in studies investigating high-altitude adaptation. However, hemoglobin concentration is determined by both plasma volume and total hemog...
Hemoglobin concentration is often interpreted as a marker for total hemoglobin mass in studies investigating high-altitude adaptation. However, hemoglobin concentration is determined by both plasma volume and total hemoglobin mass. Therefore, using hemoglobin concentration as a marker for hemoglobin mass can obscure variation in total hemoglobin mass and/or plasma volume and lead to flawed conclusions about adaptation. In this short commentary, we highlight examples from athletic, clinical and high-altitude populations and responses to environmental stressors illustrating the dissociations between intravascular volumes and hemoglobin concentration. The reliance on hemoglobin concentration has reinforced the prevailing, but potentially incorrect, interpretation of blunted hypoxia-induced erythropoiesis in Tibetan and Ethiopian highlanders. We argue that measures of plasma volume and total hemoglobin mass, which can easily be obtained using the carbon monoxide rebreathing technique, provide more physiologically relevant phenotypes. We propose that future genetic and evolutionary studies of high-altitude adaptation should move beyond hemoglobin concentration and focus on measurements of total hemoglobin mass and intravascular volumes.
Validation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Measuring Leptin, a Key Metabolic Hormone, in Dried Blood Spot Samples.
Kim EY, Orozco LS, Shoemaker EG … +6 more , Gassen J, Nowak TJ, Weaver SP, Baker EJ, Muehlenbein MP, Urlacher SS
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41346082 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Leptin is an established biomarker of appetite regulation and energy status. Problematically, heavy reliance on invasive venipuncture sampling has limited leptin research with diverse human populations and gr...
OBJECTIVES: Leptin is an established biomarker of appetite regulation and energy status. Problematically, heavy reliance on invasive venipuncture sampling has limited leptin research with diverse human populations and groups such as children. Key questions remain about leptin's evolution and biological roles across the full range of humans. Here, we present and validate a new minimally invasive approach for measuring leptin in finger-prick dried blood spots (DBS) using a commercial ELISA kit. METHODS: The Human Leptin Quantikine QuicKit ELISA (R&D Systems, QK398) was validated using matched serum and DBS samples from 40 adults. Passing-Bablok regression assessed the relationship between leptin and leptin. Dilutional linearity, reliability, spike-and-recovery, limit of detection, and stability tests evaluated assay performance and potential DBS matrix interference. RESULTS: Leptin was reliably measured in all DBS samples (average = 312 pg/mL), with DBS intra- and inter-assay CVs of 3.3% and 2.0%, respectively. Matched leptin and leptin measurements showed excellent agreement (Pearson's R = 0.97), with no apparent bias (Bland-Altman bias = 4.7). Leptin measurement in DBS was stable for at least 72 h at 26.2°C and 37°C and showed no degradation across eight freeze-thaw cycles (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin can be reliably and stably measured in minimally invasive DBS samples, expanding research on energetics and appetite regulation across a wider range of human groups and settings.
Genetic Structure of the Y-Chromosome in Colombia: An Analysis of Regional Diversity and Ancestry.
Casas-Vargas A, Guzmán AC, Avila AJ … +13 more , Albarracin-Barrera J, Aponte-Rubio Y, Suárez D, Moncada Madero J, Mogollón F, Bravo NC, Morel A, Cabrera R, Fonseca-Mendoza DJ, Bernal IT, Restrepo CM, Sánchez-Gómez Y, Usaquén-Martínez W
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41328020 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To determine the genetic diversity and ancestry of male lineages across various regions of Colombia by analyzing Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and to explore how these genetic variations relate to t...
OBJECTIVE: To determine the genetic diversity and ancestry of male lineages across various regions of Colombia by analyzing Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and to explore how these genetic variations relate to the historical and migratory events that shaped the country's subpopulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 672 DNA samples from diverse Colombian populations were analyzed, and Y-chromosome STRs were genotyped using the Yfiler and Yfiler Plus amplification kits. Haplogroup assignments were performed using open-source software, and multivariate analyses were employed to facilitate intra- and interpopulation comparisons. RESULTS: Substantial genetic diversity was observed among the haplotypes of the studied populations. Haplogroup R1b, of European origin, was predominant in the Andean region, while haplogroup E1b, associated with African ancestry, was more frequent in the Pacific and San Andrés regions. In relatively conserved populations, such as those from the Amazon and La Guajira, a high frequency of haplogroup Q, characteristic of Native American lineages, was detected. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses showed clear genetic separations among regions, reflecting historical and geographical influences. Populations from the Pacific and Caribbean coasts clustered closely with African lineages, while those from the interior of the country exhibited a stronger European influence. In contrast, Indigenous communities and other more conserved populations, such as those in the Amazon, were clearly differentiated, underscoring the preservation of native lineages. DISCUSSION: The results highlight the genetic complexity of Colombian populations, which have been shaped by the admixture of Native American, African, European, and, to a lesser extent, Middle Eastern lineages. These findings highlight the impact of historical processes, including European colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and more recent migration events, on the country's genetic structure.
Exploring Socio-Economic Inequalities in Low Birth Weight: A Statistical Decomposition Approach.
Zhang X, Shah AA, Han L
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41320666 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Low birth weight is a critical predictor of child mortality and morbidity, contributing to both immediate health complications after birth and long-term health issues later in life. Globally, it remains a maj...
BACKGROUND: Low birth weight is a critical predictor of child mortality and morbidity, contributing to both immediate health complications after birth and long-term health issues later in life. Globally, it remains a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where poor maternal nutrition, limited access to quality healthcare, and poverty exacerbate the risk. Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia carry the highest burden, accounting for the majority of low birth weight cases worldwide. Within this context, Pakistan stands out as one of the countries with the highest rates of child mortality and malnutrition, making the issue of low birth weight especially pressing. METHODOLOGY: Utilizing the Demographic and Health Survey of 2017-18, multiple analytical techniques were used including logistic regression, standard, Wagestaff, Erreygers concentration index analysis and concentration curves. RESULTS: The study indicates that low birth weight (LBW) is disproportionately concentrated among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Negative and significant concentration indices for household wealth, maternal education, and paternal education show that children from poorer and less educated families are at higher risk of LBW. Further analysis reveals that the relationship between household wealth, parental education and LBW is nonlinear in the context of rural-urban division. Rural children from middle and higher-income families show a slightly elevated risk as compared with urban. Similarly, mother's education seems less effective against LBW. However, father's education might help as LBW is slightly reduced among higher educated fathers. This counterintuitive pattern may be influenced by factors such as multiple births, cesarean deliveries, antenatal care utilization, or other socio-cultural dynamics. For example rural women might have less decision-making autonomy regarding health and meeting other necessities of life. CONCLUSION: The study finds that low birth weight (LBW) is disproportionately concentrated among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, with household wealth and parental education serving as strong protective factors. However children from middle and higher-income households, in rural areas, may also experience a slightly elevated risk of LBW as compared to urban populations Father's education might play a more protective role against low birth weight among rural areas.
Overweight Is Associated With Medium-Term Obesity Development in School-Age Children: A Mixed Longitudinal Study.
Testa RG, Moraes A, Nagafuchi AG … +4 more , Grandolfi K, Aguiar AF, Christofaro DGD, Casonatto J
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41319182 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in the nutritional status of school-age children in five cohorts with a two-year follow-up, encompassing a span of 7 years. METHODS: Utilizing a mixed longit...
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in the nutritional status of school-age children in five cohorts with a two-year follow-up, encompassing a span of 7 years. METHODS: Utilizing a mixed longitudinal design, we implemented five cohorts with a two-year follow-up, encompassing a span of 7 years. The study's total sample comprised 101 school-age children (51 females and 50 males), aged between 6 and 11 years at the commencement of the follow-up. Anthropometric variables were obtained following standardized procedures. Subsequently, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived using the formula BMI = body mass (kg)/(height). Nutritional status was classified according to established cutoff points for age and sex. RESULTS: The prevalence rates for overweight, obesity, and underweight were found to be 22%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. Notably, the presence of overweight at the initiation of the follow-up exhibited a significant association with the development of obesity after a two-year period (χ = 5.325, p = 0.021). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis indicated that participants classified as "overweight" at the outset of the study were 4.7 times more likely (95% CI = 1.156-19.754) to develop obesity compared to their eutrophic counterparts. CONCLUSION: The study establishes a clear link between overweight status and the medium-term development of obesity in school-age children, aged between 6 and 11 years. These findings underscore the need for early intervention strategies and targeted preventive measures to address this concerning health issue.
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T in Healthy Sport-Participating Youth Aged 8-16 Years: Reference Values From the Cor-School Cohort.
Aixa-Requena S, Conesa-Milian E, Hernández-González V … +4 more , Puente-Lanzarote JJ, López-Laval I, de Pano-Rodríguez Á, Reverter-Masià J
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41319031 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is widely used in adult cardiology, yet pediatric reference values remain scarce. This study aimed to establish reference values for hs-cTnT in healthy sport-part...
OBJECTIVES: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is widely used in adult cardiology, yet pediatric reference values remain scarce. This study aimed to establish reference values for hs-cTnT in healthy sport-participating youth aged 8-16 years from Spain; to examine differences by age, sex, and pubertal stage; and to explore associations with anthropometry and physical activity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Cor-School cohort, including 733 organized sport participants aged 8-16 years from northeastern Spain. Anthropometry, pubertal status, biological maturity, and PHV timing were assessed alongside hs-cTnT and habitual physical activity. Percentiles were calculated from detectable hs-cTnT concentrations below the 99.75th percentile. Group comparisons, correlations, and regression models examined developmental patterns. RESULTS: Among 733 youth, 39% had detectable hs-cTnT and 4.7% exceeded 14 ng/L. The 97.5th and 99th percentiles were 15.2 ng/L (90% CI: 12.4-16.9) and 19.1 ng/L (90% CI: 15.2-21.3), peaking in early adolescence (11-13 years) and around PHV. Tanner Stage 4 showed the highest 99th percentile (20.4 ng/L), while Tanner 5 had lower values. Boys presented greater detectability (42% vs. 33%) and higher percentiles (99th: 19.1 vs. 15.6 ng/L). hs-cTnT correlated weakly with maturity offset (ρ = 0.183, p = 0.002) and inversely with body fat (ρ = -0.170, p = 0.040), but no independent predictors remained in multivariable models (R adj = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: hs-cTnT increases physiologically during adolescence, reflecting biological maturation. Pediatric-specific reference values by age and developmental stage are recommended to avoid misclassification. As all participants were regularly engaged in organized sport, the reference values obtained likely represent the upper end of physiological hs-cTnT concentrations in physically active youth.
Functional Characteristics of Immunoregulatory Blood Proteins in Women of Reproductive Age Residing in the European North and Arctic Regions of the Russian Federation.
Pashinskaya KO, Samodova AV, Dobrodeeva LK
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41316859 · Publisher ↗
AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the functional characteristics of blood proteins which are important in assessing reproductive health due to their immunoregulatory effects in women residing in the European...
AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the functional characteristics of blood proteins which are important in assessing reproductive health due to their immunoregulatory effects in women residing in the European North and Arctic regions of the Russian Federation. METHODS: A total of 557 women aged 21-55 (36.89 ± 0.54), engaged in intellectual professions, born and long-term residents of the European North (Arkhangelsk Oblast) and Arctic (Murmansk Oblast, Svalbard archipelago) participated. The hemogram, phagocytic activity of neutrophils, erythrocyte aggregation, lymphocyte content with CD3, CD4, CD8, CD10, CD19, CD16, CD71, CD95 phenotypes, cytokines: TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, extracellular receptors: sCD71, sCD62L, sApo-1/Fas, sFasL, circulating immune complexes, sex hormones, and as well as immunoregulatory blood proteins: haptoglobin, transferrin, immunoglobulins, lipoproteins, apoproteins, were evaluated. RESULTS: In women from Arkhangelsk Oblast, transferrin levels showed a substantial increase, while IgA levels decreased relative to the reference range. In women from Murmansk Oblast, haptoglobin, IgM, and IgA levels increased, and a reduction in IgG levels was observed. In women from the Svalbard Archipelago, transferrin and IgM concentrations increased, whereas IgG and IgA levels decreased. Additionally, in women from the European North and Arctic, a decrease in ApoB and ApoA-I content was observed. Elevated levels of transferrin and a decrease in lymphocytes with a transferrin receptor CD71+ and an increase in soluble transferrin receptor sCD71 levels were noted. Elevated haptoglobin levels are related to lymphocyte activation. The frequent occurrence of reduced IgA and IgG levels suggests impaired immunoglobulin class switching. Reduced levels of ApoB and ApoA-I indicate the early stages of lipid metabolism disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The immunoregulatory role of blood proteins determines their functional characteristics in women living in the European North and the Arctic. Reduced antioxidant protection, metabolic disorders, and dysregulation of the immune response in women living in Northern and Arctic regions can lead to reproductive health risks.
Characterizing Water Insecurity Among US College Students: Prevalence, Scope and Linkages With Food Insecurity.
Workman CL, Brewis A, Wutich A
Am J Hum Biol · 2025 Dec · PMID 41307282 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity prevalence among US university students is higher than the national average, with minoritized and first-generation students disproportionately affected. Global and domestic US research has doc...
OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity prevalence among US university students is higher than the national average, with minoritized and first-generation students disproportionately affected. Global and domestic US research has documented the link between food and water insecurity, though research on water insecurity-particularly on college campuses-remains nascent. METHODS: An exploratory study (n = 220) connecting measures of water insecurity, food insecurity, demographic/socioeconomic status, and water-related psycho-emotional outcomes in a sample from a large US public university. Tobit regressions were conducted for models using water insecurity scores as outcomes and ordered logistic regression models for psycho-emotional outcomes associated with water. To assess the relationship between economic stress, water quality concerns and purchasing two generalized structural equation models (GSEM) were conducted. Motivations for purchasing bottled water were elicited in an open-ended question. RESULTS: College students are experiencing notable resource insecurity, with 43% reporting low to moderate rates of water insecurity and 31% reporting food insecurity, representing above-the-national-average levels of food insecurity. Importantly, students who were food insecure were significantly more likely to be water insecure. A third of students relied on bottled water, with and convenience and water quality concerns being the primary reasons. Economic stress predicted water insecurity scores, frequency of purchasing bottled water, water quality concerns, as well as psycho-emotional outcomes related to water. CONCLUSION: These exploratory findings suggest a pattern of risk for water insecurity on university campuses that is potentially concerning and generally consistent with that already well described for food insecurity.
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