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Environmental Change and the Physical Growth Status of Somali Children Born in the United States

Tyree, Daniel J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1276756377

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Anthropology.
Assessing the health and well-being of populations in transition from one environment to another provides insights into how humans adapt to biological and cultural stressors. Research on immigrant populations from Europe, Japan, China, Mexico, and Guatemala demonstrate that migration from war-torn or impoverished countries to the U.S. results in greater growth due to better environmental conditions. The current study examined this relationship in a population of Somalis who migrated to the U.S. following governmental collapse in 1991. A sample of 358 Somali children (179 boys and 179 girls) born and reared in Columbus, OH were examined. Anthropometrics (i.e. height, weight, BMI, skinfolds) were collected on children 6 months to 78 months of age to test the following hypotheses: 1) U.S.-born Somali children are larger than their Somali-born age-mates, 2) U.S.-born Somalis are shorter, but heavier than U.S. standards, 3) children of traditional mothers are smaller than those of more acculturated mothers, and 4) household size is negatively associated with body size. Results indicate that U.S.-born Somalis are significantly taller and heavier than those in Somalia. Access to better quantity and quality diets, cleaner water supplies, improved sanitation, and healthcare availability are likely contributing factors. Somali-American children are also taller and heavier than U.S. standards. Two explanations are proposed. First, according to the Intergenerational Influences Hypothesis, mothers who experienced negative health conditions during childhood are likely to have children who are overweight due to fetal programming. Second, previous studies suggest that Somalis are a genetically taller population. Research shows that Somalis are the tallest population in East Africa. However, they are substantially smaller than African-Americans. Therefore, their genetic potential is not known. More research is necessary to assess this possibility. Anthropometric variability was observed between children of traditional and acculturated mothers. Length of time in the U.S., giving children vitamins, and breastfeeding duration were positively associated with anthropometrics. Conversely, taking pre-natal vitamins was negatively associated with body size. This was unexpected as pre-natal vitamins have important benefits for proper growth and development. However, although beneficial, they do not guarantee a child will be healthy. Many other factors such as protein intake and stress potentially negate their effects. Also unexpected, household income was negatively associated with weight. Higher incomes allow for diets of greater quantity which may increase caloric intake, leading to higher weight. On the other hand, along with quantity comes better dietary quality which likely includes low caloric, nutrient rich foods. This may result in a reduction in positive weight gain. Finally, household size was negative associated with anthropometrics as hypothesized. These results demonstrate the ability of humans to adapt biologically and culturally to new environmental settings. Somali children in Columbus, OH illustrate this point by experiencing increased growth in response to improved living conditions. These findings are valuable in better understanding the epidemiology of health disparities within all populations, not just immigrants.
Douglas Crews, Dr. (Advisor)
Paul Sciulli, Dr. (Committee Member)
Samuel Stout, Dr. (Committee Member)
199 p.
Physical Anthropology
Somalia; anthropometrics; growth; immigration; health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tyree, D. J. (2010). Environmental Change and the Physical Growth Status of Somali Children Born in the United States [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1276756377

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tyree, Daniel. Environmental Change and the Physical Growth Status of Somali Children Born in the United States. 2010. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1276756377.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tyree, Daniel. "Environmental Change and the Physical Growth Status of Somali Children Born in the United States." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1276756377

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.