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Biocultural risks in longevity: Samoans in California
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Urbanized environments significantly impact Samoan migrant health, leading to increased weight, high blood pressure, and elevated glucose levels. These changes suggest a higher prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in this population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociocultural Health Studies
Background:
- Migration involves significant life changes impacting migrant health.
- Previous studies link weight gain and high blood pressure to lifestyle changes in migrants.
- Samoans in Hawaii show health changes attributed to an "intermediate-modern" environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the health effects of urbanization on Samoan migrants in California.
- To compare health indicators of Samoans in California with those in Hawaii and Samoa.
- To identify potential links between biobehavioral changes and observed health patterns.
Main Methods:
- Survey of weight, height, and blood pressure among Samoans in California.
- Analysis of fasting glucose levels and mortality records.
- Comparison of health data across different urbanized environments.
Main Results:
- Samoans in urban California exhibit higher adult weight than those in Hawaii and Samoa.
- Elevated blood pressure is observed, though its link to weight gain is uncertain.
- High fasting glucose levels suggest a diabetes prevalence many times higher than the U.S. population.
- Preliminary data indicate excess cardiovascular disease mortality in Samoans under 50.
Conclusions:
- High urbanization exacerbates negative health changes in Samoan migrants.
- Urban Samoans face increased risks for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Further research is needed to connect lifestyle changes to these health outcomes.