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Secular change in adult stature associated with modernization in Vanuatu
Author(s) -
Olszowy Kathryn M.,
Sun Cheng,
Silverman Harold,
Pomer Alysa,
Dancause Kelsey N.,
Chan Chim W.,
Lee Gwang,
Tarivonda Len,
Kaneko Akira,
Weitz Charles,
Koji Lum J.,
Garruto Ralph M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.23008
Subject(s) - modernization theory , demography , secular variation , short stature , geography , demographic transition , medicine , population , fertility , sociology , economic growth , pediatrics , economics
Abstract Objective To determine whether: (1) there is a secular increase in adult stature in Vanuatu, and (2) whether adult stature is positively associated with modernization in Vanuatu. METHODS This study reports on stature measurements collected on 650 adult (age > 17 years) men and women from four islands of varying economic development in Vanuatu. Measurements were collected as part of the Vanuatu Health Transitions Research Project in 2007 and 2011. RESULTS Stature increased significantly in adults born between the 1940s and 1960s in Vanuatu, before leveling off in those born between the 1970s and 1990s. Adults are significantly taller on Efate, the most modernized island in the study sample, than on the less economically developed islands. CONCLUSIONS Modernization is likely associated with improvements in child growth in Vanuatu, as assessed by gains in adult stature.