American Journal of Human Biology最新文献

{"title":"Why, Immunologically, Housing-Related Fungi and Endotoxins (and Other Chronic Pro-Inflammatory Stressors) Risk Latent Tuberculosis Reactivation, Severe Asthma, and Translocating and Invasive Infections in Indigenous Communities in Canada","authors":"Stacie Burke","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70258","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70258","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Type 1/M1/T_H1 and type 3/M1/T_H17 pro-inflammatory switches are risks for latent <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (Mtb) reactivation and ongoing infection transmission. This paper considers the heavy toll of reactivation risk in Indigenous communities in Canada and the chronic, everyday pro-inflammatory stressors connected with type 3/M1/T_H17 immune switching, including household fungal and endotoxin exposures that fuel reactivation risk. The paper argues that regular or chronic pro-inflammatory stressors are risks not only for latent Mtb reactivation and ongoing transmission, but also, via compromised type 4/M2/T_H22 mucosal barrier protections, severe asthma and translocated, possibly invasive, bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Individual and community efforts to reduce chronic pro-inflammatory stressors are important, but as the immunological, switch-inducing rationale suggests, unless chronic pro-inflammatory risks associated with housing are mediated, tuberculosis reactivation and other health risks will likely persist.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70258","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147678351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling of Maternal Factors Affecting Child Ever Born in Punjab, Pakistan: Indication From Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2017–2018)","authors":"Maryam Siddiqa,&nbsp;Amber Zubair,&nbsp;Asif Hanif,&nbsp;Shazia Iqbal,&nbsp;Tahira Ashraf,&nbsp;Shahzad Ahmad","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70259","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70259","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fertility trends and population dynamics in Pakistan significantly influence the nation's socioeconomic progress. Elevated fertility rates drive rapid population expansion, creating major challenges for the healthcare system, education sector, and overall resource management. This study aims to identify key determinants influencing household fertility decisions among women aged 15–49 years in Punjab, Pakistan.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The number of children ever born to a woman is used as a proxy for household fertility. The analysis is based on data from the latest round of the Punjab Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017–2018. A Poisson regression model was employed to account for the count nature of the dependent variable. Both Poisson regression and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the most significant predictors of fertility variation across the province.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Both the Poisson and logistic regression analyses identified a similar set of significant factors influencing fertility, including age, education, household wealth, fertility intentions, and delivery method. In both models, fertility increased progressively with advancing age, whereas higher educational attainment and better economic status were associated with reduced fertility and lower odds of having more than two children. Women who reported no desire for additional children exhibited higher fertility and a greater likelihood of higher parity in each model, while casarean delivery consistently showed a negative association with fertility outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fertility differentials across Punjab appear to be shaped by a combination of biological, socioeconomic, and maternal factors. The study highlights the influence of women's age, household wealth, desire for a child, educational attainment, and previous delivery methods on reproductive behavior. These findings carry important implications for fertility regulation strategies in high-fertility settings and suggest targeted interventions for promoting planned parenthood in similar socioeconomic contexts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70259","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147678354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The 2D:4D Digit Ratio and Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Window Into Prenatal Hormonal Influences on Exocrine Autoimmunity","authors":"Mustafa Gür,&nbsp;Ramazan Fazil Akkoc,&nbsp;Burak Oz,&nbsp;Ahmet Karatas,&nbsp;Süleyman Serdar Koca","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70257","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70257","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The pronounced female preponderance in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) points to a potential role for sex hormones in disease development. The ratio of the second to fourth digit (2D:4D), which serves as an indirect marker of fetal androgen exposure, has shown associations with several immune-mediated conditions. The present study assessed whether 2D:4D ratios are lower in women diagnosed with SS relative to healthy individuals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this case–control investigation, 57 female SS patients (classified per the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria) and 44 age-matched healthy women were recruited. The lengths of the index and ring fingers were measured on both hands with digital calipers, and digit ratios were derived. Group comparisons were conducted with Welch's <i>t</i>-test and supplemented by Mann–Whitney <i>U</i>-tests.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Women with SS had lower 2D:4D ratios on both sides (right: 0.938 ± 0.030 vs. 1.011 ± 0.024, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001; left: 0.925 ± 0.034 vs. 1.009 ± 0.026, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The observed effect sizes were large (Cohen's <i>d</i> &gt; 2.6). Lower ratios were driven predominantly by elongated ring fingers rather than shortened index fingers, a pattern compatible with heightened fetal androgen exposure.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Women with primary SS exhibit lower 2D:4D digit ratios compared with healthy controls, suggesting that a shifted prenatal estrogen-to-androgen balance may prime the immune system toward the glandular autoimmunity and exocrine dysfunction that define this disease. These findings implicate the prenatal hormonal milieu as a potential contributor to the immunological processes underlying SS pathogenesis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13066761/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147647447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recalled Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Behavioral Traits Associated With an Accelerated Life History in Cebu, Philippines","authors":"Sofia C. Carrera,&nbsp;Delia B. Carba,&nbsp;Nanette R. Lee,&nbsp;Lee T. Gettler,&nbsp;Christopher W. Kuzawa","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70255","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70255","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long been associated with poor health in adulthood, with many researchers interpreting these findings as evidence of a “fast” life history. In this study we utilize data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS) to test the expectations of this framework among inhabitants of the Cebu metropolitan area in the Philippines.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data on development, behavior, and reproduction were collected from study participants (<i>N</i> = 1288, 54% male) over the course of multiple survey rounds, beginning before their birth in 1983–84. In 2018, participants completed a retrospective ACEs questionnaire. We built discrete hazard models and generalized linear models to test whether recalled ACEs predict characteristics of a “faster” life history in CLHNS.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There was no significant relationship between ACEs and maturational timing, but individuals who recalled more ACEs engaged in health-risk behaviors earlier and exhibited younger ages at sexual debut. Among women specifically, ACEs also predicted a younger age at first reproduction and higher gravidity. After splitting ACEs into two dimensions, the same results were observed in response to deprivation but not threat.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>As in other low resource settings, physical maturation in Cebu was accelerated in households with greater access to resources but not in response to early psychosocial stressors as indicated by recalled ACEs. However, individuals who experienced ACEs did exhibit behavioral profiles consistent with faster life history scheduling and greater investment in reproduction.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147635048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embodied Immunity: Place, Inequality, and Reproductive Outcomes in Two US Communities","authors":"C. Manthey,&nbsp;T. E. Gildner,&nbsp;S. S. Urlacher,&nbsp;E. K. Mallott,&nbsp;C. Chaney,&nbsp;A. Zhang,&nbsp;S. Waimon,&nbsp;K. L. Nemeth,&nbsp;J. A. Beauregard,&nbsp;A. Shing,&nbsp;A. Samsonov,&nbsp;M. Pfaff-Nash,&nbsp;T. J. Cepon-Robins","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70256","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70256","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Immune dysregulation has been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes, yet its biocultural determinants remain underexplored. This study examines how environmental inequality and embodied life history factors intersect to shape pregnancy loss among women in two socio-environmentally distinct, low-resource US communities. We hypothesized that indicators of immune activation and reproductive history would be associated with increased likelihood of pregnancy loss. Data were collected from 112 women (ages 22–84) with prior pregnancies residing in rural Mississippi and periurban Illinois. Surveys captured demographic, health, and reproductive histories, and dried blood spot samples were analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. 32.6% of participants self-reported at least one pregnancy loss, with higher rates in Illinois than in Mississippi (41.2% vs. 22.0%). After excluding biomarker values suggestive of acute inflammation (&gt; 10 mg/L CRP), none of the immune markers independently predicted pregnancy loss. As biomarkers were measured cross-sectionally, they are best interpreted as indicators of immune ecology, reflecting both current infections and exposures as well as long-term environmental inequality, rather than acute determinants of reproductive outcomes. In adjusted models, only number of pregnancies significantly predicted loss (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). These findings suggest that pregnancy loss in this sample may be better explained by the cumulative embodiment of environmental and social conditions that are not being captured by isolated immune biomarkers.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cortisol Stability at 16 and 30 Years in Urine Specimens Stored at −20°C","authors":"Anwesha Pan,&nbsp;Madison Saunders,&nbsp;Darryl J. Holman","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70249","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70249","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aims to investigate whether urinary cortisol can be reliably measured after long-term storage at −20°C, using urine samples collected in 1993 from rural Bangladeshi women, and assayed after 16 and 30 years (2009 and 2023).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Specimens were collected by participants, placed in coolers with ice packs, transported to a field lab, and then refrigerated for up to 1 week before processing. Specific gravity was measured, and a 6.5 mL sample was archived at −20°C. Urinary cortisol was assayed in 2009 as part of a prior study using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In 2023, cortisol was measured in a subsample of 200 specimens using the same assay.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Of the 200 specimens, 7 (3.5%) were measured with low precision. Cortisol could not be detected in nine specimens (4.5%). In the remaining 184 specimens, urinary log cortisol levels measured in 2009 and 2023 were positively correlated (<i>r</i> = 0.973, 95% CI: 0.964–0.980; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001 and nonparametric <i>r</i>_s = 0.795; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). A paired <i>t</i>-test revealed a bias toward slightly greater values in the 2023 measurements (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These results suggest that urinary cortisol remains largely intact and measurable in specimens stored at −20°C for three decades, and there is a strong correlation between cortisol measured after 16 and 30 years in storage.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13044983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Vegetarian Diet and Bone Mineral Density Assessed by Quantitative Ultrasound in Young Adult Women.","authors":"Darina Falbová, Simona Sulis, Petra Švábová, Alexandra Hozáková, Lenka Vorobeľová","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70264","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The association between vegetarian dietary patterns and bone health remains inconsistent, particularly in young adult populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a vegetarian dietary pattern and bone mineral density (BMD) in a sample of young adult women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 648 young adult women from Slovakia (67 reporting adherence to a vegetarian diet and 581 omnivores). BMD was assessed using quantitative ultrasonography. Baseline demographic and lifestyle information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were applied to examine independent associations between dietary pattern and BMD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women reporting adherence to a vegetarian diet exhibited significantly higher speed of sound (SOS) at the radius (4111.0 ± 124.7 vs. 4068.4 ± 111.2 m/s; p = 0.017) and higher z-score (0.09 ± 1.29 vs. -0.27 ± 1.09; p = 0.036) compared with omnivorous women. In linear regression analyses, adherence to a vegetarian dietary pattern was independently associated with higher SOS and z-score values, whereas smoking status, physical activity, and body weight were not retained in the final models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Women reporting adherence to a vegetarian dietary pattern exhibited higher SOS and z-score values at the radius compared with their omnivorous peers. These findings suggest that adherence to a vegetarian dietary pattern is associated with differences in bone characteristics in young adult women.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Socioeconomic and Environmental Determinants of Child Growth: Evidence From the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018.","authors":"Anqi Sang, Mukhtiar Hussain Ibupoto, Abdul Jalil Mirjat, Xiaofen Qiu, Su Yankui, Kashif Ali Shah","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Child growth is a critical indicator of population health and human development. In many low- and middle-income countries, children continue to experience growth faltering due to socioeconomic inequalities and environmental constraints. This study examines the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of child growth outcomes in Pakistan using nationally representative data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative cross-sectional analysis was conducted on children aged 0-59 months with available anthropometric measurements. Child growth was assessed using height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-age (underweight), and weight-for-height (wasting) indicators based on standards of the World Health Organization. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify significant determinants of growth outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicate that approximately 37%-40% of children in Pakistan suffer from stunting, while about 23% are underweight and 8% experience wasting. Household wealth, maternal education, sanitation facilities, and access to safe drinking water significantly influence child growth outcomes. Children from poorer households and those whose mothers have no formal education are more likely to experience growth deficiencies. Environmental conditions such as unimproved sanitation and lack of safe water also increase the likelihood of undernutrition.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the importance of addressing socioeconomic inequalities and environmental health conditions to improve child growth outcomes in Pakistan. Policy interventions aimed at poverty reduction, maternal education, and improved water and sanitation infrastructure may significantly contribute to better child health and development.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nurturing Bonds: A Qualitative Exploration of Breastfeeding and Responsive Feeding Practices in Samoan Mother-Infants Dyads","authors":"Bertacchi Victoria,&nbsp;Daiy Katherine,&nbsp;Lowry Kemper,&nbsp;Vesi Lupesina,&nbsp;Filipo Vaimoana,&nbsp;Faaselele-Savusa Kima,&nbsp;Pérez-Escamilla Rafael,&nbsp;Hromi-Fiedler Amber,&nbsp;Naseri Take,&nbsp;Soti-Ulberg Christina,&nbsp;Abraham Jyothi,&nbsp;Richard G. Bribiescas,&nbsp;Nicola L. Hawley","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70241","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70241","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Little is known about whether perceptions in Samoa of human milk composition and quality play a role in the decline in exclusive breastfeeding with age, the introduction of solid foods, or the degree to which mothers are utilizing responsive feeding practices. To explore this topic, we qualitatively explored feeding practices in Samoan families to identify areas in which the introduction of responsive feeding education may support and supplement the current breastfeeding promotion success.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In 2020–2021 we conducted one-on-one structured interviews with <i>n</i> = 100 mothers of infants aged 2–4 months. A subset of the sample (<i>n</i> = 25) was asked to take part in focus groups approximately a year later to gain further information regarding their overall infant feeding experience and behaviors, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding, related to responsive feeding methods and weaning.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Three themes emerged from the interviews—Human Milk Contents, Nurturing Qualities and Hunger/Satiety Cues, while the focus groups generated seven themes—Human Milk Attitudes, Weaning Age, Weaning Foods, Introduction of New Foods, Mealtimes, Crying/Fussiness Response, and Sweet Food/Candy. While, to the best of our knowledge, responsive feeding practices are not taught in Samoa, some of the themes highlighted responsive feeding practices already being utilized in Samoan families.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The information gained from the interviews and focus groups can be used to develop evidence-based messaging that strives to educate parents and caregivers to successfully identify hunger and satiety signals in infants and encourage the introduction of healthy and age-appropriate foods that complement current Samoan breastfeeding practices and childhood dietary patterns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating Practical, Political, and Ethical Challenges of Long-Term Human Biology Field Research: The Shuar Health and Life History Project.","authors":"J Josh Snodgrass, Felicia C Madimenos, Melissa A Liebert, Samuel S Urlacher, Tara J Cepon-Robins, Theresa E Gildner, Richard G Bribiescas, Lawrence S Sugiyama","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70262","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70262","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Major advances in understanding human biology and health have been made possible by long-term field research projects with Indigenous peoples, whose ecological settings and lifeways are distinct from majority populations in high-income settings. Long-term fieldwork is central to human biology, yet much about this research approach remains opaque. This paper considers a single long-term study-the Shuar Health and Life History Project in Amazonian Ecuador-and discusses how we have navigated practical, political, and ethical challenges of initiating and maintaining a two-decade long collaborative project with integrative field and laboratory components. By enhancing transparency and offering logistical and ethical insights, our goal is to provide guidance to researchers. We offer three sets of conclusions and recommendations. First, our highly integrative approach allows us to ask important scientific questions and answer them in innovative ways. We recommend investment in broad theoretical and methodological training and study design, as well as a project structure that nurtures students' ideas. Second, a project like ours is extremely challenging to operate, requiring major sustained commitment of time and funding to maintain the fieldsite and laboratories. We recommend that scientists initiating major field projects be cognizant of these enormous costs and challenges, develop supportive relationships among collaborating researchers, and incorporate flexibility and excess capacity. Finally, sustainable long-term investment in research communities must be prioritized, and the science and outreach efforts require tailoring to local conditions and realities. We recommend that researchers invest deeply in communities, building trust and establishing long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70262"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147718918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}