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Acanthosis nigricans among Asian and Pacific Islander children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas
Author(s) -
Novotny Rachel,
Coleman Patricia,
Tenorio Lynn,
Davison Nicola,
Camacho Tayna,
Ramirez Vickie
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a313-c
Subject(s) - acanthosis nigricans , overweight , medicine , population , demography , pacific islanders , geography , environmental health , pediatrics , obesity , insulin resistance , endocrinology , sociology
This study describes the occurrence of Acanthosis nigricans (AN) among children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). We conducted a two‐stage random cluster household survey, proportionate to population, in 16 areas of the CNMI, sampled from the 2000 census. We measured 420 children from 327 households, 6 months to 11 years old, in June/July 2005. We detected nine cases of AN. Seven were from the main island of Saipan, and one was found on each of the islands of Rota & Tinian. Children with AN were of Pacific Islander, Filipino, and Japanese ancestry. Children with AN were 8–10 yrs old. Seven were boys and two were girls. All nine children were in the overweight category, according to CDC criteria. Six children had high blood pressure. Two girls had signs of puberty. Three children had cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dl. In a case study, we observed a very high level of television watching and little physical activity, coupled with very high processed meat intake, and high dietary fat and sodium intake. AN is an indicator of insulin resistance, and a troubling finding in children. Further study of the causes and consequences of AN in childhood will be important for preventing, treating, and understanding the development of cancer, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in Pacific Island populations. Funded by USDA. grants 2004‐35215‐14252 & 2004‐38826‐02201.