Adult lipids associated with early life growth in traditional melanesian societies undergoing rapid modernization: A longitudinal study of the mid‐20th century

Abstract

Both poor fetal development and accelerated post-natal growth have been linked to adult dyslipidemias in many studies conducted in developed societies. It is not known, however, whether these relationships only characterize populations with typical Western diets or if they also may develop in groups at the early stages of a dietary transition. Our longitudinal study of traditional rural populations in the Southwest Pacific during a period of extremely rapid modernization in diet and life-styles shows a nascent association between child growth retardation, subsequent growth acceleration, and adult lipid values in spite of a continuing prevalence of very low lipid levels. However, our results do not entirely conform to results from populations with "modern" diets. Outcome (i.e., young adult) cholesterol and triglyceride levels are more consistently related to initial measures of body fat and growth in body fat measures than with stature, while outcome apo A-1 is more consistently related to initial stature or stature growth than to measures of body fat. We suggest this may reflect a pattern characteristic of the initial stages of "modernization" associated with dietary change, with stronger and more pervasive relationships emerging only later as populations complete the dietary transition.

Childhood obesity and adult cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…The year that each study started varied considerably, ranging from 1923 to 1989 while the year that studies were published ranged from 1971 to 2014. Studies were conducted in eleven different countries; six in the U.S. [ 4 , 64 , 66 , 67 , 73 , 75 ], three in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Newcastle) [ 76 , 83 , 85 ], three in Finland [ 65 , 68 , 81 ], two in Australia [ 77 , 82 ], and one in either Sweden [ 69 ], India [ 71 ], Lithuania [ 72 ], Poland [ 74 ], the Republic of Seychelles [ 78 ], Japan [ 79 ], or the Solomon Islands [ 84 ]. Most studies used a prospective longitudinal study design except for two studies that used a retrospective study design [ 65 , 73 ].…”

“…Sixteen studies examined the association between childhood obesity and adult SBP [ 4 , 64 , 66 – 69 , 71 – 73 , 75 – 79 , 82 , 85 ], 14 examined the association between childhood obesity and adult DBP [ 4 , 64 , 67 – 69 , 71 , 72 , 75 – 79 , 82 , 85 ], 8 examined the association between childhood obesity and adult TC [ 4 , 64 , 67 , 79 , 81 , 83 – 85 ], 5 examined the association between childhood obesity and adult LDL [ 4 , 78 , 81 , 83 , 85 ], 8 examined the association between childhood obesity and adult HDL [ 4 , 67 , 68 , 78 , 81 – 83 , 85 ], and 9 examined the association between childhood obesity and adult TG [ 4 , 67 , 68 , 71 , 78 , 81 , 82 , 84 , 85 ]. However, data from one study that assessed TG could not be used for meta-analysis because the study’s main outcome was blood pressure and there was not enough information provided for TGs to calculate an ES [ 71 ].…”

“…Given this finding, it would appear prudent to suggest that future studies provide information for both standardized and unstandardized regression coefficients. Seventh, while the majority of studies included information on both males and females [ 66 , 69 , 72 – 75 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 84 , 85 ], two were limited to men only [ 64 , 71 ] while 9 combined data for both men and women [ 4 , 65 , 67 , 68 , 76 – 78 , 82 , 83 ]. Given biological differences between men and women, it would appear plausible to suggest that future studies include separate as well as combined results for both men and women.…”

Nutrition Transition in Papua New Guinea (PNG): An Assessment of the Nutrition Transition for Three Diverse Populations, Including the Contributing Factors, Food Insecurity, and Health Risks

“…Differences in levels of exposure and interactions with factors that influence nutrition transition throughout the geographical regions of PNG have the greatest likelihood of predicting variations in dietary and physical changes across its populations. The coastal regions were first to be colonised and adopt "Western" diets [99]. However, the expansion of urban centres and major industries have increased availability and accessibility to the Highlands, suggesting that populations across PNG are equally vulnerable to dietary changes.…”

“…Vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken and fish 77. Don't know 99. No response Tobacco, buai and alcohol I am now going to ask you some questions about tobacco, betel nut and alcohol use.…”