American Journal of Human Biology最新文献

{"title":"Population-Specific Circadian Drivers and MTNR1B Predict Arctic Morning Cortisol.","authors":"Denis Gubin, Sergey Kolomeichuk, Konstantin Danilenko, Oliver Stefani, Alexander Markov, Ivan Petrov, Kirill Voronin, Marina Mezhakova, Mikhail Borisenkov, Aislu Shigabaeva, Julia Boldyreva, Julianna Petrova, Larisa Alkhimova, Dietmar Weinert, Germaine Cornelissen","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated the relationship between morning cortisol concentration and circadian timing of physical activity, light exposure and sleep in Arctic residents, and examined the role of the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism on this relationship.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Circadian parameters were derived from 7-day actigraphy utilizing the ActTrust 2 device with RGB light sensors. Actigraphy and cortisol were assessed in the same 27 (21 women) adult participants longitudinally during winter and summer solstices and spring equinox. Associations with morning cortisol were assessed by correlation and regression analyses, stratified by indigeneity, adjusting for photoperiod, age, and sex. A two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of season and MTNR1B genotype on cortisol.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Later timing of physical activity (β = 0.374, p < 0.001), light exposure (β = 0.242, p = 0.028), and bedtime (β = 0.345, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher morning cortisol. Stratification revealed that Nonnatives were primarily affected by the timing of light exposure (β = 0.321, p = 0.013), whereas Natives exhibited associations only with the timing of activity and sleep (β = 0.619, p = 0.002), but not light exposure. The MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype modulated cortisol, with G-allele carriers showing lower concentrations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cortisol in Arctic residents is linked to the timing of circadian behavior, with population-specific drivers: Nonnatives integrate both photic and behavioral cues, while the indigenous population relies on behavioral rhythms. MTNR1B polymorphism further modulates cortisol, indicating that environmental timing and genetic background regulate activity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis in extreme photic environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693815","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":"Gendering the Menstrual Cycle in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.","authors":"Annie Duchesne, Kiranjot Kaur Jhajj, Nicole White","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The menstrual cycle is increasingly described as a \"vital sign of the female body,\" with the literature suggesting cycle-related brain and behavioral changes. With growing interest in the effects that the menstrual cycle has on the brain, body and mind, characterizing what constitutes healthy cycle-related change has become a central goal of behavioral neuroendocrinology. Considering the epistemological importance of research in behavioral neuroendocrinology for shaping our understanding of cycle-related effects in menstruating people, a critical examination of how the menstrual cycle is operationalized and studied in this field is warranted. In this narrative review, we first describe some methodological gold standards for investigating the menstrual cycle as an acontextual sex-related neurohormonal phenomenon, while highlighting ongoing limitations. We then introduce alternative conceptualizations that operationalize the menstrual cycle as context-contingent and demonstrate the importance of environmental experiences, particularly stress, in influencing cycle-related brain and behavioral changes. Grounded in a feminist/queer approach to sex/gender difference, we propose a conceptualization of the menstrual cycle that integrates gendered sources of stress and discuss the potential of this approach to enable a more representative operationalization that better accounts for its inherent variability.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13100345/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788250","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":"Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Reproductive Patterns Among Postreproductive Women.","authors":"Paula Bartecka, Andrzej Galbarczyk, Magdalena Klimek, Ilona Nenko, Grazyna Jasienska","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70260","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Traits that are detrimental for health may persist in populations because they are advantageous for reproduction. Apolipoprotein E is a protein involved in lipid metabolism, and it is encoded by a polymorphic gene (ApoE) with three alleles: ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4. ApoE4 allele is associated with elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of various metabolic and age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. Because lipids are crucial for steroid hormone synthesis and thus the ovarian function, ApoE4 allele may be associated with enhanced fertility. Therefore, we hypothesize that women with different ApoE genotypes will exhibit differences in reproductive history traits.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants included 360 postreproductive women aged 45-92 from a Polish rural population living at the Mogielica Human Ecology Study Site. General linear models were used to test differences in age at menarche, age at first reproduction, number of children born, mean interbirth interval and age at last reproduction across different ApoE genotypes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences were observed between ApoE genotypes in any of the tested reproductive history parameters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although some of the previous research has suggested that carriers of ApoE4 have more successful reproduction, we found no evidence supporting such an association among postreproductive aged women from a traditional, agricultural community. It is possible that ApoE4 may confer reproductive advantages only under specific ecological or lifestyle conditions, such as high pathogen burden or low-energy diet.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70260"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090747/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147718976","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":"Trends in Systemic Inflammation and Its Relation to Socioeconomic Status in US Adults, 1971-2018.","authors":"Jason Murasko","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Systemic inflammation occurs when the immune system is chronically active due to repeated harmful exposures or dysregulation of the immune process. It is associated with the prevalence and poorer prognoses of many chronic diseases. Like many health indicators, its burden is often found to be greater in those of lower socioeconomic status. Little is known about how levels of systemic inflammation have changed over time in populations, nor how such changes may relate to socioeconomic status. This study uses data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to evaluate inflammation trends in the US population between the 1970s and 2010s. The results indicate a shift in structural immunity for the US adult population that corresponds with increasing systemic inflammation over time, with the trend being modestly stronger at lower income levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":"e70266"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788287","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":"Relationship Between Self-Reported Storytelling Ability and Reproductive Success Among Three Non-Western Populations in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Papua","authors":"Piotr Fedurek,&nbsp;Ike E. Onyishi,&nbsp;Syed Imran Ali Shah,&nbsp;Chijioke K. Ayogu,&nbsp;Slawomir Koziel,&nbsp;Damian C. Ugwu,&nbsp;Piotr Sorokowski","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70248","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70248","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Storytelling ability has been linked to social preference and reproductive success in egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies. However, whether storytelling confers similar reproductive benefits in more hierarchical societies remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between self-reported storytelling ability and reproductive success across three non-Western populations characterized by hierarchical social organization.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data were collected from adult participants in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Papua (Indonesia). Self-reported storytelling ability was assessed using standardized measures. Reproductive success was indexed by number of children. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were used to examine associations while controlling for age and sex. Sensitivity analyses were conducted in the Nigerian sample to assess the influence of high-parity individuals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In the Nigerian sample, storytelling ability was negatively associated with completed fertility in the count component of the model and negatively associated with the probability of childlessness in the zero-inflation component. Only the association with childlessness remained robust to additional covariates. No significant associations between storytelling ability and number of children were observed in the Pakistani or Papuan samples.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The association between storytelling ability and reproductive success appears context-dependent and may differ between egalitarian and hierarchical societies. Findings suggest that storytelling ability may be more strongly related to the likelihood of parenthood than to completed fertility in certain socioecological settings.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147576320","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":"The Relationship Between Biological Age and Emotional Intelligence in Young Swimmers","authors":"Julia Badzińska,&nbsp;Magdalena Żegleń,&nbsp;Jacek Słowik,&nbsp;Weronika Bogusz,&nbsp;Łukasz Wądrzyk,&nbsp;Kamil Sokołowski,&nbsp;Marek Strzała,&nbsp;Łukasz Kryst","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70251","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70251","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Emotional intelligence is crucial for young athletes, affecting their psychosocial well-being and performance. Biological development, which includes physiological changes, is also important for athletes, affecting their physical abilities. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between biological age and emotional intelligence in young athletes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study group consisted of 65 young swimmers aged 12–14 from Kraków (Poland). The Popular Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (PIKE) was used to assess emotional intelligence, and the study of biological age was conducted and calculated by an experienced anthropologist. Pearson correlation coefficients (<i>r</i>) were calculated to examine the relationship between variables.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>For girls, correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between biological age and the scale of accepting, expressing and using one's emotions in action. Statistical analysis also showed a significant correlation between calendar age and the scale of accepting, expressing and using one's own emotions in action for the entire sample.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study focused on analyzing the relationship between age, biological age and results on the Popular Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (PIKE) in participants of different age groups. Key findings include significant correlations between age and emotional intelligence, particularly in the context of controlling one's own emotions (KON) and accepting, expressing and using one's emotions in action (AKC).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147505391","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":"Distribution of Polymorphisms Associated With Obesity in a Sample of Admixed Mexican Adults","authors":"Luis Orlando Pérez,&nbsp;Anahi Ruderman,&nbsp;Juan Camilo Chacón-Duque,&nbsp;Kaustubh Adhikari,&nbsp;Maria-Cátira Bortolini,&nbsp;Victor Acuña-Alonzo,&nbsp;Samuel Canizales-Quinteros,&nbsp;Carla Gallo,&nbsp;Giovanni Poletti,&nbsp;Francisco Rothhammer,&nbsp;Winston Rojas,&nbsp;Andrés Ruiz-Linares,&nbsp;Rolando González-José","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70244","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70244","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In Mexico, two-thirds of the adult population are overweight and almost a quarter are affected by obesity. These high obesity rates are primarily attributed to low-nutrient, high-calorie diets, reduced physical activity, and to a certain extent, genetic factors. Most genetic variants for obesity risk have been identified through studies based predominantly on European populations. This study examines the roles of subcontinental ancestry, genetic polymorphisms, and socio-environmental factors in anthropometric measures within an admixed Mexican population.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analyzed a sample of 1195 adult volunteers from the CANDELA consortium. Regression models were used to assess the influence of subcontinental Native American ancestries, socioeconomic level (education and SES), and genetic background on body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were constructed for each index using established alleles.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An increase in obesity indices was significantly associated with a higher proportion of Native American ancestry, particularly waist-to-hip ratio. Polygenic risk scores were significantly associated with all indices, with BMI showing the highest risk. The effect of obesity scores was not influenced by ancestry on any of the evaluated indices, although the average frequency of risk alleles was slightly inversely correlated with higher Native American ancestry content.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study highlights the challenges of assessing genetic predisposition to complex disease in admixed populations, where numerous factors contribute to observed differences, emphasizing the need to consider regional genetic diversity in obesity research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147488331","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":"Reproductive Ecology and Evolutionary Anthropology: Foundations, Unanswered Questions, and Future Directions","authors":"R. G. Bribiescas,&nbsp;P. T. Ellison","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70225","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70225","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The research field of reproductive ecology continues to be a major contributor to the scientific advancement of evolutionary anthropology and human biology in general. Primary contributions to human evolutionary biology include a greater understanding of the physiological mechanisms that manage lifetime reproductive effort, resource allocation, life history trade-offs, demographic variation in fertility, the adaptive traits that define humans (<i>Homo sapiens</i>), non-human primates, and our hominid ancestors as well as novel insights into reproductive health challenges such as cancer. Here we present a brief overview of the foundation on which this research path is based, including a summary of current research advances in human reproductive ecology, particularly within the scope of human variation. Future research directions, unanswered questions, and engagement with reproductive health challenges are discussed.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147488303","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":"Urbanization, Physical Capacity, and Body Composition in Rarámuri and Mestizo Populations From Northern Mexico","authors":"Salvador Jesús Lopez-Alonzo,&nbsp;Arturo Martínez-Trevizo,&nbsp;Samuel Alfredo Islas-Guerra,&nbsp;Alejandra Orona-Escápite,&nbsp;Gabriel Gastelum-Cuadras,&nbsp;Luis Alberto Flores,&nbsp;Liliana Aracely Enriquez-del Castillo","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70243","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70243","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To compare body composition and physical fitness indicators among non-urbanized rural Rarámuri (NURR), urbanized Rarámuri (UR), and urban Mestizo (MEST) populations, and to analyze the influence of urbanization on health-related physical performance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chihuahua, Mexico (<i>n</i> = 171; 84 men, 87 women). Anthropometric and functional assessments followed the ISAK and YMCA protocols, which included BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, push-ups, sit-ups, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Classifications were based on WHO and YMCA reference standards. Statistical differences were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Urbanization was associated with a progressive increase in adiposity and a decline in aerobic capacity. Participants from UR and MEST groups exhibited higher body weight, BMI, and body fat percentage compared to those in the NURR group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), as well as lower VO₂max and functional endurance. Waist circumference revealed a greater distribution of metabolic risk among UR and MEST participants, while the NURR group maintained a leaner and metabolically efficient phenotype.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings highlight a clear biocultural transition: as traditional physical activity patterns erode, physiological efficiency and cardiometabolic health deteriorate. The Rarámuri case exemplifies how urbanization induces functional regression rather than adaptation, underscoring the importance of preserving indigenous mobility and physical culture as key components of public health and cultural identity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147488391","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":"Polygyny and the Number of Children Ever Born in Afghanistan: The Moderating Role of Education—A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Mohammad Fazel Akbary,&nbsp;Dordana Rasa,&nbsp;Muhammad Usman Saleem,&nbsp;Neelum Khalid,&nbsp;Quanbao Jiang","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70239","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70239","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aims to investigate the relationship between polygyny and the number of children ever born (CEB), as well as the moderating effects of education on this relationship in the context of Afghanistan. Additionally, decomposition analysis of the marginal effect will be utilized to identify the factors that influence the likelihood of having a certain number of children.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model and marginal effect analysis were applied to the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (AfDHS) with a sample (<i>n</i> = 29 461 women aged 15–49). CEB measured the number of children born to each woman; polygyny was assessed based on whether women were in polygynous or monogamous unions. All analyses were performed using STATA version 18.1.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>About 7% of the sample were in polygynous marriages, and the average number of children ever born (CEB) was 4.18. The ZINB model indicates that polygynous women had a 12% lower likelihood of higher CEB; when education was included as a moderator, this reduction increased to 13%. The marginal effects further show that polygynous women had, on average, 0.54 fewer children than monogamous women. Education also demonstrated a protective effect: primary education was associated with 0.17 fewer children, while higher education reduced the number of children by 0.58.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study indicates that decreases in CEB among women in both polygynous and monogamous unions are linked to higher levels of women's education and delayed marriage. The study concludes that increasing access to family planning and promoting women's education may reduce the disparities in CEB between polygyny and monogamy in Afghanistan.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147482305","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}