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群的健康和福祉，有助于深入了解人类如何适应生物和文化压力。在营养缺乏的条件下，身体发育往往受到限制，以促进重要器官的健康发育。因此，更大的增长意味着更好的健康，反之亦然。对移民人口的研究表明，由于健康状况的改善，从饱受战争蹂躏或贫困的国家移民到美国会带来更大的增长。目前，还没有数据来确定类似的影响是否发生在文化独特的非洲人口中。这项研究考察了第一代移民在美国出生的索马里儿童的成长情况。将对400名在俄亥俄州哥伦布市出生和长大的索马里儿童进行抽样调查。将收集6个月至78个月大的儿童的身体尺寸(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，假设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、更重(即更健康)。此外，索马里以外的医疗专业人员往往不建议采用索马里有关产前和产后育儿的传统做法。因此，据推测，在美国，坚持传统信仰的母亲所生的孩子将比那些不那么传统的母亲所生的孩子更小(更不健康)。这项研究的结果将对更好地理解健康差距的流行病学具有价值。此外，由于这项研究考察了文化变化对健康的影响，它将强调对移民儿童的健康采取具有文化敏感性的方法的重要性。最后，它将有助于教育家长和医疗保健组织，让他们了解传统和非传统文化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.