American Journal of Human Biology最新文献

{"title":"Pandemic Patterns: The Long-Term Health Outcomes of 1918 Influenza Survivors in the St. John's General Hospital of Newfoundland and Labrador","authors":"Madeleine Mant,&nbsp;Taylor P. van Doren,&nbsp;Lisa Sattenspiel","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70310","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70310","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research surrounding the 1918 influenza pandemic has primarily been a story of mortality despite theoretical and practical reasons to focus on the pandemic's long-term impacts. We investigate survivorship among individuals who were hospitalized with influenza and pneumonia (P&amp;I) before and during the 1918 flu to explore morbidity and understand the effects of viral pandemic illness on long-term individual health.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We synthesize a novel dataset of hospitalization records from St. John's General Hospital in Newfoundland &amp; Labrador with vital records to calculate survivorship beyond hospitalization with P&amp;I from a non-pandemic period (1914–1917) and the 1918 flu period (1918–1920) (total <i>n</i> = 127). We use a Kaplan–Meier log-rank test to identify differences in cumulative survivorship and a Cox proportional hazards model to predict survivorship controlling for period, length of hospitalization, and age at hospitalization (ɑ = 0.10).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Kaplan–Meier results indicate no significant differences in survival probability between the two time periods (non-pandemic vs. pandemic P&amp;I, <i>p</i> = 0.12). Cox proportional hazards results support this observation (HR for pandemic hospitalizations = 0.8, <i>p</i> = 0.32). The number of days spent hospitalized (HR = 1.01, <i>p</i> = 0.096) and age at hospitalization (HR = 1.05, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were significant predictors of survival probability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This innovative research investigating morbidity as well as mortality during pandemic events links individual pandemic survivors with their long-term mortality data. The results speak to the complex nature of tracing individual and population health outcomes over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70310","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148426120","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":"Polygyny and Child Health in Afghanistan: Understanding Health Risks and Policy Solutions in a Traditional Society","authors":"Omid Dadras,&nbsp;Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai,&nbsp;Massoma Jafari,&nbsp;Essa Tawfiq","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70308","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70308","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research across different global contexts has begun to highlight the potential negative consequences of polygynous marriage, especially for women and children. However, there is a knowledge gap about how polygynous family structures may impact child health outcomes in Afghanistan, where polygynous marriage is highly prevalent. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of polygyny on key health outcomes among children under 5 years of age in Afghanistan.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this cross-sectional study, we used secondary data from the Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2022–2023. A weighted sample of 30 751 children was included in the analysis. Key child health outcomes examined in the current study included malnutrition, immunization coverage, developmental status, and child morbidity and mortality. We applied multivariable Poisson regression models to assess the effect of polygyny on these outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Of the 30 751 children in the sample, 2264 (7.4%) belonged to polygynous households. Children belonging to polygynous households had an increased risk of diarrhea (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02–1.21), fever (APR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14), wasting (APR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11–1.91), and child mortality (APR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18–1.56). Additionally, household wealth improves some (immunization coverage and developmental status), but not all of the risks associated with polygyny.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Polygyny was associated with an increased risk of specific adverse child health outcomes, including diarrhea, fever, wasting, and child mortality. While household wealth mitigated some disadvantages, it did not fully offset the health risks associated with polygyny. These findings may enable a better understanding of the effects of polygynous marriages on child health outcomes in Afghan society and provide evidence for future policy efforts and interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392170","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":"A Bayesian Modeling Approach to Optimize Longitudinal Biomarker Sampling Schedules Using Hormonal Data","authors":"Monica H. Keith,&nbsp;Margaret Corley,&nbsp;Delaney J. Glass,&nbsp;Claudia Valeggia,&nbsp;Melanie A. Martin","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70302","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70302","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Optimal schedules for longitudinal biomarker sampling are specific to the individual biomarkers and study aims. We present a Bayesian modeling approach for evaluating intraindividual, interindividual, and population-level biomarker variation in order to optimize precision in parameter estimates and inform biomarker sampling decisions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We apply Bayesian linear and nonlinear mixed-effects models to estimate individual- and population-level parameters of longitudinal hormone data from 35 pubertal girls. Starting with first morning void measures of urinary testosterone and C-peptide collected across a two-year timespan, we downsample these longitudinal data systematically to evaluate precision in parameter estimates from nine sampling frequencies: annual, biannual (6-month), and quarterly (3-month) intervals with one, two, and three repeated samples per interval.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Standard errors and credible intervals of individual- and population-level parameter estimates as well as the overall residual errors from our applied models indicate that specific dimensions of sampling frequency have distinct impacts on model parameters across different levels. Collectively, metrics of model fit, precision, and uncertainty indicate that more data are not always better, as we do not find parameter estimates to improve directly with increasing total sample size across models. Notably, we identify optimal sampling thresholds beyond which individual parameter estimates become less precise with additional measures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The data, code, and results from these analyses provide tools for Bayesian model building, evaluation, and sampling decisions. Specific biomarker features impact precision in distinct ways, and our hormone modeling example showcases sampling analysis methods that are applicable to a broad range of biological data.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70302","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148391728","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 Evolution of Digit Ratio (2D:4D) From 1998 to 2025: A Bibliometric Analysis","authors":"Serkan Karaismailoglu,&nbsp;Eda Karaismailoglu","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70304","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70304","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) has been extensively investigated as a potential biomarker of prenatal sex hormone exposure across biological, psychological, and behavioral sciences. Despite rapid growth in this field, a comprehensive evaluation of its developmental course and conceptual framework has been limited.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global 2D:4D research from 1998 to 2025. Bibliometrix (R software) and VOSviewer were employed to evaluate publication trends, influential authors, countries, institutions, journals, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and co-citation structures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 1692 articles and reviews were included. The results reveal a steady growth in publications, with an average annual increase of 17.51%, alongside expanding international collaboration. Early studies focused on sexual dimorphism, prenatal androgen exposure, and developmental biology, whereas recent research emphasizes psychological traits, stress-related outcomes, and health associations. Keyword and co-citation analyses identified multiple thematic clusters, highlighting the interdisciplinary evolving nature of the field.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, this study demonstrates the historical evolution, current landscape, and emerging trends of 2D:4D research. The findings underscore the need for greater methodological standardization, increased use of longitudinal and cross-cultural designs, and closer integration of biological and translational models to advance future research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148383234","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":"Peri-Pubertal Height Shifts and Stable Photoperiod-Associated Geographic Patterning Before and After COVID-19 in Japanese Children","authors":"Masana Yokoya","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70306","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70306","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Geographic variation in child body size in Japan has previously been associated with effective day length, a light-related measure. We tested whether this prefecture-level geographic structure remained stable across the COVID-19-related disruption.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted a prefecture-level ecological analysis using repeated cross-sectional summaries from Japan's School Health Statistics. For each sex and single-year age from 5 to 17 years, we compared a pre-pandemic baseline (2017–2019 mean) with a post-disruption period (2024–2025 mean). Effective day length above 5000 lx (ED5000) was treated as a prefecture-fixed exposure. Mean height was modeled as a function of mean weight and ED5000, and slope stability was tested using pooled models with an ED5000-by-period interaction term.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Across ages 5–17 years in both sexes, mean height was generally higher in the post-period than in the pre-period, and mean weight also showed an upward shift across most ages, with the largest increases around peri-pubertal ages. ED5000 remained negatively associated with height conditional on weight in both periods, and there was no evidence that the ED5000-associated slope changed between periods at any age in either sex. In contrast, post-period differences in height appeared mainly as age-dependent upward shifts concentrated around peri-pubertal ages, peaking at ages 10–11 years in girls and 12–13 years in boys.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings suggest that COVID-era disruptions were followed by age-specific increases in body size around puberty, consistent with changes in maturation tempo. In contrast, the ED5000–height association remained stable. Thus, period-related growth shifts occurred within a persistent geographic structure.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148383279","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":"Correction to “Associations of Obesity, Movement Behaviors, and Socioeconomic Status With Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: Results From the REACT Project”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70300","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70300","url":null,"abstract":"<p>\u0000 <span>Praxedes, P.</span>, <span>J. Maia</span>, <span>C. Santos</span>, et al. <span>2024</span>. “ <span>Associations of Obesity, Movement Behaviors, and Socioeconomic Status With Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: Results From the REACT Project</span>.” <i>American Journal of Human Biology</i> <span>36</span>, no. <span>7</span>: e24108. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.24108.\u0000 </p><p>In Section “2.2. Body mass index”, in paragraph 1, the text “Height and weight were measured using a Seca 213 stadiometer (with an accuracy of 1.0 mm) and a Tanita BC-553 bioimpedance scale (with an accuracy of 100 g).” was incorrect. This should have read: “Height and weight were measured using a Seca 213 stadiometer (with an accuracy of 1.0 mm) and a Tanita® SC-240 bioimpedance scale (with an accuracy of 100 g).”</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70300","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148370806","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":"Weight Perception Varies by Local Peer Body Size Norms Among US Adolescents","authors":"Jennifer M. Cullin,&nbsp;Meagan M. Guilfoyle","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70301","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Biological normalcy is a framework that examines relationships between statistical norms (e.g., variation, distribution) of biological traits and normative understandings of biology at the population level. We use this biocultural framework to test whether weight perception varies by local peer body size norms (BSNorm) in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We used 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Weight perception was assessed as “underweight,” “about right,” or “overweight.” Local peer BSNorm was derived by calculating the proportion of peers with BMI ≥ 85th percentile within each locality. Linear regression tested the relationship between weight perception and BSNorm, controlling for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and BMI category (lower-range: &lt; 5th percentile, mid-range: 5th–&lt; 85th percentile, upper-mid-range: 85th–&lt; 95th percentile, upper-range: ≥ 95th percentile). Subgroup analyses by sex and BMI category were performed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>BSNorm was negatively associated with weight perception in the full sample (<i>β</i> = −0.60, <i>p</i> = 0.0005) and both sexes separately (females: <i>β</i> = −0.70, <i>p</i> = 0.0004; males: <i>β</i> = −0.50, <i>p</i> = 0.01). The association was primarily driven by adolescents in mid-range (<i>β</i> = −0.58, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001) and mid-upper-range (<i>β</i> = −0.76, <i>p</i> = 0.037) BMI categories. By sex-specific weight categories, weight perception was negatively associated with BSNorm among females in the lower-range BMI category (<i>β</i> = −2.37, <i>p</i> = 0.015) as well as males (<i>β</i> = −0.44, <i>p</i> = 0.014) and females (<i>β</i> = −0.76, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001) in the mid-range BMI category. There were no associations among adolescents in the upper-range BMI category.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, weight perception decreased as local peer BSNorm increased. This association held for both males and females and appears to be largely driven by adolescents in the mid- and upper-mid BMI ranges.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70301","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148358156","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":"Response to Letter to the Editor: Association of Air Pollution With Adiposity Rates in Active Runners and Inactive People","authors":"Petr Kutac,&nbsp;Lukas Cipryan,&nbsp;Vitezslav Jirik,&nbsp;Vaclav Bunc,&nbsp;Miroslav Krajcigr,&nbsp;Martina Dankova,&nbsp;Steriani Elavsky,&nbsp;Vera Kristyna Jandackova,&nbsp;Daniel Jandacka","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70305","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148358157","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":"Increased Vulnerability to Dehydration Due to Heat Stress and Drought Across Reproductive States for Pastoralist Women in Northern Kenya","authors":"Suha Arshad,&nbsp;Kedir T. Roba,&nbsp;Natalie Meriwether,&nbsp;Hannah Jacobson,&nbsp;Amanda McGrosky,&nbsp;Anna Tavormina,&nbsp;Nicole Bobbie,&nbsp;Grace Khosi,&nbsp;Matthew Douglass,&nbsp;David R. Braun,&nbsp;Rosemary Nzunza,&nbsp;Emmanuel Ndiema,&nbsp;Herman Pontzer,&nbsp;Asher Y. Rosinger","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70303","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Extreme weather events, like drought and heat stress, make it harder to meet water needs in water-insecure settings, particularly vulnerable groups. This study examines how short-term (heat stress) and long-term (drought) water stress affects hydration status across reproductive states (pregnant, lactating, compared to non-pregnant/non-lactating) for Daasanach semi-nomadic pastoralist women in northern Kenya.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drawing on unbalanced panel data, we analyzed 565 observations from 303 women (aged ≥ 16 years) in 2019–2024. Hydration was assessed via urine specific gravity (USG) with dehydration classified as USG &gt; 1.020. Environmental heat stress was measured by ambient temperature and humidity, with sensitivity analyses using wet bulb globe temperature.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mixed effect logistic regression models indicated ambient temperature and humidity were significantly associated with greater odds of dehydration across all women. Holding heat stress constant, lactating but not pregnant women had higher odds of dehydration than non-pregnant/non-lactating women. A significant interaction between heat stress and reproductive status indicated that the probability of dehydration increased fastest for pregnant women as temperatures rose. Holding heat constant, dehydration probability increased during drought years compared to pre- and post-drought and was most pronounced among lactating women.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ambient heat stress increases dehydration risk among Daasanach women with effects compounded in pregnancy, though overall lactation was the period of greatest vulnerability to dehydration. Dehydration probability peaked during the drought illustrating how long-term periods of water scarcity also challenge water needs. Heat stress and droughts exacerbate maternal and infant health risks; thus, targeted hydration and cooling interventions are needed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70303","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148358007","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":"Connectedness to Nature, Ceremonial Participation, and Mental and Physical Health Among Rural and Urban Wixárika in Jalisco, Mexico","authors":"Eric C. Shattuck,&nbsp;L. McKinnon,&nbsp;I. Ramos Herrera,&nbsp;R. Crocker Sagastume,&nbsp;Q. de la Cruz,&nbsp;P. T. González Hernández,&nbsp;T. S. Sunil,&nbsp;D. R. Samson","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70298","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research in Western samples has repeatedly demonstrated a link between exposure to nature and natural stimuli and improved health. We sought to test these relationships in a sample of Indigenous Wixárika, whose traditional worldview is nature-based and conceives of all life as interconnected, in contrast to Western norms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 127 Wixárika adults (68.5% female, mean age = 33.6 years) were recruited from Guadalajara and a rural community, as part of a larger study on Wixárika health. Participants completed surveys including a Connectedness to Nature (CNS) scale, self-reported mental and physical health, and frequency of participation in traditional ceremonies, a proxy of adherence to a traditional worldview. Firth logistic regression was used to model the effects of CNS and ceremony participation on both health measures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rural participants had worse health, but greater CNS scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001 for both) and more frequent ceremony participation than urban participants. Higher CNS scores were associated with better mental health (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 1.60–16.45, <i>p</i> = 0.005) in rural participants, with no effect on either health measure in urban participants.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results partially supported our prediction that greater CNS would be associated with better health. Notably, the only statistically significant relationship was in rural Wixáritari. The effects of CNS on health may diminish in generally healthy individuals (i.e., Guadalajara residents). Future work should probe this possibility further. This work calls attention to potential discrepancies in the health/nature nexus in non-Western contexts and the need to explore different cultural understandings of nature.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324854","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}