Doctoral Dissertation Improvement:: Environmental Change and the Physical Growth Status of Somali Children Born in the United States

评估从一种环境过渡到另一种环境的人口的健康和福祉，可以深入了解人类如何适应生物和文化压力。在缺乏营养的情况下，身体生长往往受到限制，以促进重要器官的健康发育。因此，增长越大，健康越好，反之亦然。对移民人口的研究表明，从饱受战争蹂躏或贫困的国家移民到美国，由于健康状况的改善，导致了更大的增长。目前，没有数据可以确定在文化独特的非洲人口中是否会发生类似的影响。 这项研究调查了在美国出生的索马里儿童的成长情况第一代移民。 将对在俄亥俄州哥伦布出生和长大的400名索马里儿童进行抽样检查。将收集6个月至78个月大儿童的身体测量结果（即身高和体重），这对应于对环境压力最敏感的时间。由于美国相对有利的环境条件，据推测，在美国出生的索马里儿童将比他们在索马里的同龄人更高和更重（即更健康）。此外，索马里境外的医疗专业人员往往不建议采用索马里关于产前和产后儿童保育的传统做法。因此，有人假设，在美国时保留传统信仰的母亲所生的孩子比不那么传统的母亲所生的孩子更小（更不健康）。这项研究的结果将有助于更好地了解健康差距的流行病学。此外，由于这项研究审查了文化变化的健康后果，它将突出强调对移民儿童健康采取文化敏感的方法的重要性。最后，它将有助于教育家长和医疗机构了解传统和非传统的文化特定行为对儿童健康的利弊。

Assessing the health and well-being of populations in transition from one environment to another provides insights into how humans adapt to biological and cultural stressors. Under conditions of nutritional deprivation, physical growth is often restricted to promote the healthy development of vital organs. Thus, greater growth indicates better health and vice versa. Studies on immigrant populations demonstrate that migration from war-torn or impoverished countries to the U.S. results in greater growth due to improved health conditions. Currently, no data exist to determine whether similar effects occur in culturally unique African populations. This research examines the growth of Somali children born in the U.S. to first generation immigrants. A sample of 400 Somali children born and reared in Columbus, OH will be examined. Body measurements (i.e. height and weight) will be collected on children 6 months to 78 months of age, which corresponds to the time of greatest sensitivity to environmental stressors. Due to the relatively positive environmental conditions in the U.S., it is hypothesized that Somali children born in the U.S. will be taller and heavier (i.e. healthier) than their age-mates in Somalia. In addition, traditional Somali practices regarding pre- and post-natal childcare are often not recommended by medical professionals outside Somalia. Thus, it is hypothesized that children born to mothers who preserve their traditional beliefs while in the U.S. will be smaller (less healthy) than those born to less traditional mothers. Results of this research will be valuable in better understanding the epidemiology of health disparities. Further, since this study examines the health consequences of cultural change, it will highlight the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to health among immigrant children. Finally, it will help educate parents and healthcare organizations about the advantages and disadvantages of culturally specific behaviors, both traditional and non-traditional, on children's health.