We are currently conducting a longitudinal assessment of market integration and health among the Tsimane, an indigenous Amerindian population of lowland Bolivia.  Biological anthropology has played a central role in elucidating the health consequences of rapid cultural and economic change.  We intend to build on this tradition by integrating individual-, household-, and village-level data in several communities for a more comprehensive consideration of the complex, multidimensional nature of acculturative change, and its implications for quality of life. 

The research considers multiple health outcomes, including measures of nutritional status, physical fitness, growth, immune function, morbidity, and psychosocial stress.  Children, adolescents, and adults will participate in aspects of the research for an analysis of acculturation and health across the lifespan. 

Analysis of preliminary data indicates that one aspect of acculturation--Spanish language proficiency of the head of the household--is negatively associated with the nutritional status of children under 10 years of age, whereas household material wealth is not associated with nutritional status.  In addition, we have found that rates of anemia and infection (as indicated by elevated CRP concentrations) are exceptionally high.  These results highlight the complexity of acculturation and health relationships, and suggest that the early stages of market integration may have negative consequences for Tsimane children.
 
 
 
 
 

McDade, T.W., Leonard, W.R., Burhop, J., Reyes-García, V., Vadez, V., Huanca, T. and R.A. Godoy (2005).  Predictors of C-reactive protein in Tsimane’ 2-15 year-olds in lowland Bolivia.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

Foster, Z., Byron, E., Reyes-García, V., Huanca, T., Vadez, V. Apaza, L.,Pérez, E., Tanner, S., Gutierrez, Y., Sandstrom, B., Yakhedts, A., Osborn, C., Godoy, R.A. and W.R. Leonard (2005).  Physical growth and nutritional status of Tsimane' Amerindian children of lowland Bolivia
American Journal of Physical Anthropology 126: 343-351.