Life is Hard, Life is Beautiful: Some Perspectives on Health and Aging in Amazonian Rural Populations

Obesity, hypertension, social determinants of health and the epidemiologic transition among traditional Amazonian populations

“…In the last decade an important cash contribution from income distribution programs of the federal government (Bolsa Família) has been given to riverine and quilombola families. Together with rural retirement pensions and temporary contracts of work, these have increased their access to consumer goods and affected their diet (Ivanova and Piperata, 2010;Moura, 2007;Pinho et al, 2013;Piperata et al, 2011Piperata et al, , 2013Silva, 2011).…”

“…Obesity, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes are among the chronic-degenerative diseases of larger demographic, economic and social impact nowadays (Hu, 2008;SISVAN, 2008;SBEM, 2010;SBH, 2010). Several studies have shown that the prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diseases associated with them varies among populations depending on their degree of contact with the Western culture, socio-ecological situation, impact of the market economy and government policies on their diet and lifestyle and, perhaps, their biological ancestry (Blanes, 2008;Dressler, 1999;Liebert et al, 2013;Silva, 2001Silva, , 2011. According to the Brazilian Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, SDH are the social, economic, cultural, racial/ethnic, psychological and behavioural factors that influence the occurrence of health problems and the risk factors in a population (CNDSS, 2008).…”

“…In Brazil, most of the epidemiologic studies of non-transmissible chronic diseases have been concentrated in urban areas and in the South and Southeastern regions. There are only a relatively limited number of studies in the North, and those accomplished among rural populations are few (Adams, 2002;Alencar et al, 1999;Borges, 2011;Borges and Silva, 2010;Giugliano et al, 1981;Melo and Silva, 2015;Pinho et al;Silva, 2004bSilva, , 2006Silva, , 2009Silva, , 2011. More studies are still needed to understand the situation and distribution patterns of the "diseases of modernity" (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, among others), and to identify the biological, environmental and social factors that determine the risk dynamics in these populations.…”

“…They have lifestyles strongly dependent on subsistence activities such as agriculture of manioc (Manihot esculenta) and beans and corn, artisanal fishery for domestic consumption and sale, collection of forest products for consumption and sale in the local towns, and small animal husbandry. They also maintain regular contacts with regional markets and participate in temporary jobs in the ecotourism activities and provide support to scientific research (Filgueiras and Silva, 2013;Lisboa et al, 2013;Moura, 2007Moura, , 2010Piperata, 2007;Piperata et al, 2011Piperata et al, , 2013Silva, 2001Silva, , 2011Silveira et al, 2013). In the last decade, these groups have also benefited from several social programs of the federal government, such as retirements and rural pensions, and Bolsa Família (a federal welfare program); the impact of these programs on health has not yet been fully evaluated (Brasil, 2009(Brasil, , 2010Ivanova and Piperata 2010;Moura, 2007;Piperata et al, 2011;.…”

“…Other information about the ecologic situation, history, geography, social and economic conditions, subsistence and health aspects of the groups and investigated areas are available in previous publications (Borges, 2011;Cavalcante, 2011;Filgueiras and Silva, 2013;Guimarães and Silva, 2015;Lisboa et al, 2013;Melo and Silva, 2015;Moura, 2007Moura, , 2008; Moura et al, 2016;Pinho et al, 2013;Piperata and Dufour, 2007;Piperata et al, 2011Piperata et al, , 2013Silva, 2002Silva, , 2009Silva, , 2011Silva and Padez, 2010;Silva et al, 2006;Silveira et al, 2013).…”