Changing patterns of growth and development among the Evenki reindeer herders of Central Siberia

• Main Author: Spencer, Gary
• Other Authors: Leonard, W.R.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 1998
• Subjects: physical growth; nutritional status; infants; children; adolescents; Evenki reindeer herders; Central Siberia; Evenki; Siberia
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/25832

This study investigates the changing patterns of physical growth and nutritional status among infants, children, and adolescents (aged 0-17 years) from the Evenki reindeer herders of Central Siberia. Two samples are compared: 253 individuals (116 males, 137 females) measured in 1991 and 1992, and 195 individuals (78 males, 117 females) measured in 1995. Overall, the Evenki of both samples show more compromised growth (in body weight, height and sum of skinfolds), especially during late childhood and adolescents, as compared to age-matched U.S. peers. Growth appears to be more compromised in the 1995 cohort, relative to the 1991/1992 cohort. Despite these declining nutritional conditions, it appears that protein reserves and physical activity have increased, since estimates of muscularity have also increased. Age and sex differences are evident in relation to these declining nutritional conditions. Anthropometric measures of nutritional status are poorer for the youngest children (0-5 years), as well as for the males (0-5 years and above 11 years old) in this sample. These changes are likely the consequence of the massive social and economic reforms that have taken place in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. These changes are consistent with the general declines in health status and life expectancy that have been recently documented throughout Russia.