Human growth in southern Zambia: a first study of Tonga children predating the Kariba Dam (1957-1958)

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
Rhonda M Gillet, Phillip V Tobias

Abstract

During the late 1950s the Kariba hydro-electric dam was constructed on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe forcing the relocation of 57,000 people, mainly Tonga. As part of a larger study to assess the effects of the relocation, research into the human biology of the Tonga people was conducted. The research reported here provides a basis for comparison with long-term follow-up data on growth and physical status of Gwembe Tonga to determine the effects of resettlement. The sample consists of 303 schoolchildren, 7 to 13 years, from two schools that were not relocated and three schools that were to be relocated. Homogeneity of the two groups led us to combine them as a single baseline sample before relocation. Comparisons with NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) reference data and with contemporary urban data from southern Zambia indicate sub-optimal nutritional status. After ages 6 and 7, height-for-age and weight-for-age Z-scores of boys decline steadily towards -2.0 SD throughout the 12th year, whereas mean Z-scores of girls decline markedly from 8 years on. Mean HAZ (Height-for-age-Z-score) of girls falls below -2.0 SD by 11 years and approaches -3.0 SD by 13 years. Thirty-nine percent of males and 47% of females in the...Continue Reading

References

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Sep 12, 1990·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association
Jan 1, 1998·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Rhonda M Gillett

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Citations

May 10, 2013·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Leonardo NhantumboAntónio Prista
Nov 17, 2010·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Corey S Sparks
Sep 27, 2012·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Steven M Cole
Apr 22, 2003·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Alexandra Brewis
Oct 21, 2004·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Rhonda Gillett-NettingBenjamin C Campbell
Nov 18, 2020·Journal of Physiological Anthropology·Arimi Mitsunaga, Taro Yamauchi
Apr 16, 2005·Science·Christer NilssonCarmen Revenga

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