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Obesity is a worldwide public health problem impacting not only industrialized nations but also developing countries. The main objective of this paper was to analyze risk factors for overweight among Amerindian children and their mothers. Data were collected in 15 Amerindian riverside communities from the Beni River (Bolivia). The total sample was of 195 mothers and 452 children, 0–15 years of age. Information about family activity and dietary patterns was collected, and a clinical examination was performed. Stool samples were collected in children for parasitological screening. Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, arm circumference, and four skinfolds, were taken. A bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed in mothers. In total, 12.2% (95% confidence interval (CI95%) 9.1–15.9%) of the children were considered overweight; less than 1% were overtly obese International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Among their mothers, 35.3% (CI95%, 28.7–42.5%) were overweight (BMI (weight/height 2) >25 kg/m2), and 5% (CI95%, 2.5–5.1%) were obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). BMI was moderately related to anthropometric indices of body composition in children, but was highly correlated with fatness in mothers. The risk of overweight was not associated with environmental factors in children. In mothers, there was a significant relationship between BMI, health status, and dietary diversity score. There was a moderate association in boys between fatness and the BMI of their mothers (R2= 0.12, P< 0.001), but not in girls. These findings suggest a trend toward accumulation of fat related to possible changes at the economic and agricultural levels, even in remote rural areas. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:61–73, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Relationships between anthropometric dimensions (stature, weight, arm and calf circumferences, and four subcutaneous skinfolds), and motor performances (dash, standing long jump, throw for distance and grip strength) were considered in 348 mild-to-moderately undernourished Senegalese children 5–13 years of age (168 boys and 180 girls). Weights and statures are, on average, below the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference medians at each age, and deviations are more pronounced in children 8 years of age and in boys more than girls. Boys, on average, perform better than girls on all tasks. Stature and weight explain about 30–50% of the variance in the performances of children 10 years of age. Indicators of body composition (estimated arm muscle and subcutaneous fat) have only a limited contribution to the remaining variance in motor performances. Fatness negatively affects the performances of girls 10 years, but has no effect on performances of boys.

The relationship between motor skills and mild protein-energy malnutrition was studied in a rural Senegalese setting. Eighty-eight children in good health, aged between 3 and 5 years were examined on 3 occasions in the course of one year, and their physical performance and motor skills evaluated. Regular progress in their abilities was observed over the year. Nevertheless, 3#sh4 of them portrayed mild somatic deficiencies. After dividing the children into 4 nutritional groups according to their height-for-age and weight-for-height deficiencies, it was found that normal and thin children, scored higher in the various tests than did children who were underheight, or both underheight and underweight.Insufficient muscular mass available for exercise seemed to be the principle factor limiting the performance of these mildly undernourished children. However, other hypotheses should be mentioned: reduction in the children's habitual physical activity, and the neuro-motor consequences resulting from former, severe malnutrition.These observations show that even slight degree malnutrition can affect a child's ability to perform physical work and, thus, hinder his future development and learning.

Electrochemical reduction of the perfluoroalkyl iodide (I) in DMF or SO2(III) and DMF yields the carboxylic (II) or the sulfinic acid (IV).