Life History Across Two Generations in the Dogon of Mali: A Prospective Cohort Study

本研究利用进化生命史理论，深入了解一些全球性健康问题的发展起源，特别是高血压和低出生体重。 这项研究发生在西非马里的多贡人身上，他们面临着许多环境条件，这些环境条件是自然选择塑造人类疾病的代谢和发育机制时所普遍存在的。 这项研究解决了以下问题：（1）婴儿期发育不良和体重不足的儿童，如果长大后赶上同龄人，患高血压的风险是否会增加？(2)儿童时期营养较好的儿童是否比同龄人成熟得更快，繁殖得更快？(3)家庭规模（兄弟姐妹的数量）对下一代的生长速度、成熟（青春期和月经初潮）、第一胎年龄和出生体重有什么影响？ 这项研究是一项罕见的研究，从婴儿期到成年期纵向跟踪非洲社区的儿童。 该研究已达到关键阶段，其中队列（N = 1700）正在经历主要的生命转变（青春期、月经初潮和首次生育），其时间已记录在案。 除了已有的大量数据外，还增加了新的数据，包括血压、营养状况、身体大小和组成、出生体重和唾液睾酮的测量。 高血压和低出生体重是具有全球意义的问题，对非洲裔人的影响尤为严重。这项研究是由一个国际法语小组进行的，从而促进了思想和知识的交流。研究生研究助理获得宝贵的实地工作经验，马里政府机构和当地人员的参与有助于开发东道国的人力资源。为了促进合作和教育广大公众，还正在建立一个双语网站。

This study uses evolutionary life history theory to gain insight into the developmental origins of some global health problems, especially high blood pressure and low birth weight. The research takes place in the Dogon people of Mali, West Africa, who face many of the environmental conditions that prevailed when the metabolic and developmental mechanisms that underlie human disease were shaped by natural selection. The research addresses the questions: (1) Are children who were stunted and underweight as infants at elevated risk for high blood pressure if they catch up to their peers as they mature? (2) Do children who were better nourished in childhood mature more quickly and reproduce sooner than their peers? (3) What is the influence of family size (number of siblings) on growth rates, maturation (puberty and menarche), age at first birth, and birth weight in the next generation? This research stands out as a rare example of a study that follows children in an African community longitudinally from infancy to adulthood. The study has reached a critical stage wherein the cohort (N = 1700) is experiencing major life transitions (puberty, menarche, and first birth) whose timing is documented. To the extensive data already in hand, new data are added including measurements of blood pressure, nutritional status, body size and composition, birth weights, and salivary testosterone. High blood pressure and low birth weight are problems of global significance that disproportionately affect individuals of African descent. The research is carried out by an international francophone team thereby promoting the cross-fertilization of ideas and knowledge. The graduate research assistants gain valuable field work experience and the involvement of Malian governmental agencies and local personnel helps to develop human resources in the host country. To foster collaboration and to educate the broad public, a bilingual web site is also being created.