Maria Enrica Danubio

Age of onset of pubertal characteristics in boys aged 6-14 years of the Province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy).

Background: Previous results on growth patterns of children from central-southern Italy (Abruzzo region) showed an increasing tendency to obesity and suggested that the secular trend was still in progress in this region. However, data on pubertal development was lacking. Objective: The objective of the study was to provide population data on pubertal development in a sample of 535 boys aged 6–14 years as a contribution to the ongoing debate on earlier onset of pubertal traits and on the slowing down of the secular trend. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used. Data for genital and pubic hair development (GD and PHD) were analysed by probit analysis. Results: The boys start developing sexual characteristics at age 9: 13.3% had entered stage 2 of GD and 8.9% showed PHD. At 13 years of age, 5% and 7.4% were still in stage 1 of GD and PHD, respectively, whereas almost one-third had attained stage 5 for both sexual characteristics. The median age for attainment of stage 2 was 11.2 years for GD, 11.5 years for PHD and 11 years for one or both of them. Conclusions: These results are in line with those for several European and industrialized countries and do not show a significantly earlier onset of sexual maturation.

Biodemographic study of a central Apennine area (Italy) in the 19th and 20th centuries: marriage seasonality and reproductive isolation.

This study investigates seasonality of marriages and reproductive isolation in six long-isolated communities in the central Apennines (Italy). It had two objectives: (1) the identification of an Apennine biodemographic model in comparison with mountain communities of other regions, and with non-Apennine communities in Abruzzo, and (2) to identify the possible effects of the drainage of Lake Fucino (1854-1876) on that area. Marriages in this region show two very stable seasonal patterns: one is typical of sedentary rural societies, with summer migrations and marriages preferentially celebrated in the winter, and the other has marriages that are strongly concentrated in the summer months, i.e. between 75% and 93.5% of marriages were celebrated between June and October in these communities in the 1800s. These were traditionally pastoral communities with winter transhumance of the flocks and their shepherds towards the lowlands of southern Italy. In both groups, restrictions imposed by the Catholic Church do not seem to have affected the timing of marriages. Indeed, economic factors related to work activities seem to have had more influence. Concerning reproductive isolation, the results show high rates of endogamy: between 85% and 98% in both the 19th and 20th centuries. Rates of consanguineous marriages were between 5% and 20%, and those of isonymous marriages rarely exceeded 9%. The coefficient of inbreeding a shows that there was a delayed, limited period of increased consanguinity in the few decades around the turn of the century. This is different from the national situation, and thus could be a consequence of the Lake Fucino drainage.

Are changes in body dimensions of adult females from Italy (Sardinia and Latium) related to secular trend

This paper presents secular changes in height, weight, sitting height, relative sitting height, BMI and estimated lower limb length in two samples of Italian adult females from Sardinia (Cagliari) and Latium (Rieti). The samples consist of 579 healthy women from the province of Cagliari and 138 from the town of Rieti, aged 20.0-39.9 years, measured in the period 2003-2006. The women were divided into four 5-year age groups. The anthropometric variables were considered according to different socioeconomic status (SES) in the Cagliari sample, while the Rieti sample was considered as a whole, as the SES was homogeneous. ANOVA results suggest that the secular trend was very slow or had come to a halt in the Rieti sample but continues in the Cagliari sample, as shown by the statistically significant differences for estimated lower limb length (p<or=0.02), and relative sitting height (p<or=0.05). However, these differences disappear after ANCOVA with sibship size and socioeconomic status controlled for, suggesting that they depend mainly on the composition of the Cagliari sample in terms of SES. Therefore, it can be hypothesised that the secular trend might be very slow or has stopped in the Cagliari subsamples homogeneous for SES.

Determinants of marital behaviour in five Apennine communities of Central Italy inferred by surname analysis, repeated pairs and kinship estimates

The work makes use of surname analysis, repeated pairs and kinship estimates in 11,009 marriage records celebrated in five communities of the Italian Central Apennine (Celano, Lecce dei Marsi, Ortucchio, Roio, Villavallelonga) from 1802 to 1965 with the objective to deepen knowledge of the relative influence of several determinants on their marital behaviour. These towns are part of the same geographic and economic environment: the slopes of the ancient Fucino Lake. This work further elaborates the results from previous studies on the bio-demographic model of the region. The data were analyzed according to three periods of approximately 50 years. Results show the highest inbreeding coefficients in the pastoral towns of Roio and Villavallelonga. Repeated pair analysis highlights a certain degree of population subdivision which declined in time in Celano, Lecce dei Marsi and Ortucchio. The highest and increasing values of RP-RPr in time in Roio suggest a general reduction in genetic heterogeneity. This is possibly due to the celebration of marriages among families selected on the economic basis of pastoralism, as this town historically has had a leading tradition of sheep-farming. Villavallelonga, excluding isonymous marriages, shows an increase in repeated pair unions in time, thus revealing a substructure with marriages among preferred lineages. This is in line with previous results on consanguineous marriages which indicated the tendency of avoiding unions between close relatives in this small geographic isolate. This study demonstrates the influence of geographical (altitude) and social factors (pastoralism) on the marital structures of the investigated populations.

Seasonality of marriages in sardinian pastoral and agricultural communities in the nineteenth century.

The study of marriage seasonality of populations with different socioeconomic backgrounds may contribute to the better understanding their reproductive behaviours. This study analyses the monthly distribution of marriages in the 19th century in four agricultural villages and four pastoral villages on the island of Sardinia (Italy). The data were derived from 7340 marriage acts (3571 for the four agricultural villages and 3769 for the four pastoral villages). The aim is to ascertain whether the Sardinian agricultural and pastoral communities followed the matrimonial models reported for contemporary Italy and Europe and whether there was a change in the monthly distribution of marriages between the two halves of the 19th century. The results suggest that the marriage seasonality of the Sardinian farmers and shepherds was very similar to the patterns shown in the 19th century by Italian and European agricultural and pastoral communities. The Sardinian farmers preferred to marry in autumn-winter, while the Sardinian shepherds had a very high concentration of marriages in summer-autumn. Both communities avoided marriages in the Advent and Easter periods and in the month of May (dedicated to the Virgin Mary), and the farmers also in August (also dedicated to the Virgin Mary). Despite a certain seasonal stability, there was a significant change in the monthly distribution of marriages between the two halves of the 19th century in both the agricultural and pastoral communities, probably due to a series of laws that transformed the centuries-old socioeconomic system of Sardinia in the second half of the century.

The effects of geographical and prolonged cultural isolation on the marital behaviour of an Alpine community (Valsesia-Italy, 1618–1899)

The settlement of the “Alta Valsesia” during the XIII century by the ethnic group “Walser” coming from the Switzerland region “Vallese”, left clear historical and cultural traces. In the present study we analysed the “Alagna Valsesia” community (Piedmont). The aim of this research is to reconstruct the demographic and the matrimonial structure of this cultural and geographic isolate over three centuries and to evaluate the degree of isolation through the analysis of some biodemographic parameters calculated on the bases of parish registers, from 1618 to 1899 (1503 marriages). Data on the population dynamics highlighted an early depopulation, since 1500, than led in 1800 to a decline to population of about 60%, relating to the well known phenomenon of the leaving of mountainous isolate. The analysis of the marriages shows a low rate of endogamic mating (82%). This rate reach the highest peak 93% between 1650 and 1659, then it decreases to the minimum values 67% in the middle of 1700. The rates of consanguineous and isonymic marriages are around 20% and 4–5% respectively, reaching the maximum values during 1800; with the only exception for the period between 1700 and 1749, when the rates decreases because of a substantial migratory flow. Inbreeding coefficient stressed out — values between 0,4×10–3 and 2,4×10–3, not so different from the ones reported for other Italian mountainous isolates. The analysis of the seasonality of marriages high-lighted a strong concentration of marriages during winter months, particularly in January and February, when works were suspended because of the cold.

Morphometric distances among five ethnic groups and evaluation of the secular trend in historical Libya.

This study analysed the variations, both in space and time, of 10 body dimensions and 2 anthropometric indexes of 745 adult males belonging to 5 ethnic groups of historical Lybia (el-Haràbi, el-Baraghìts, Marabtìn, Oases inhabitants and Tuareg). The data were collected in the years 1928 and 1932 by Puccioni and Cipriani, two Italian anthropologists. The aim was to reconstruct the biological history of Libya at the time, and thus contribute to the ongoing debate on the evolution of the biological standard of living in developing Countries. The subjects were analysed by ethnicity and by 10-year age groups, after adjusting for age. The results of ANCOVA and Tukeys post-hoc test show that among and between groups there are statistical significant differences overall for armspan, height, head breadth, bizygomatic breadth, biiliac breadth/height and head breadth/head length indexes. By means of the cluster analysis, the el-Haràbi, el-Baraghìts and Marabtìn groups cluster together, whereas the Tuareg and Oases inhabitants cluster separately one from the other and both from the other three ethnic groups. Within-group variations are not very marked in all ethnicities. In general, there is the tendency, not statistically significant, to the reduction and/or stasis of body dimensions from the older to the younger, and the differences are greater among the older than the younger age classes. In conclusion, it can be argued that these groups, all different culturally and geographically, were following the same tendency of stasis of the secular trend of the body dimensions considered in this study, and such stasis persisted since, at least, the last twenty years of the 19th century, when the older were born.

Knowledge of evolution and human diversity: a study among high school students of Rome, Italy

BackgroundThis research investigated the knowledge of the complex concept of evolution in a sample (n=1108) of final-year high school students of Rome. Particular attention was given to the evolution of Homo sapiens and to human diversity at the biological and cultural level. Obtained results were analysed in relation to the socio-cultural context of the students. The final objective of the research is to provide teachers, curriculum developers and policy makers with results on basic knowledge on evolution and human diversity of students who are to face the University.MethodsThe research was conducted using an ad hoc questionnaire in five scientific (Liceo scientifico) and four humanistic (Liceo classico) high schools of Rome. The research involved the final-year students, those who are supposed to have a global basic knowledge of cultural and biological aspects of the evolutionary theory. The research project, its aims and modes of realisation were presented and discussed in detail with Deans, teachers and students of the Institutions that volunteered to participate.ResultsThe results show: (1) good knowledge and substantial acceptance of the evolutionary perspective; (2) that cultural and biological diversity are considered as decisive factors in modelling the present-day differences between human groups; (3) that, nonetheless, more than half the students still hold to a classificatory conception of human populations; (4) that the family cultural background is significantly relevant in the education of children.ConclusionsResults of the research highlight some useful recommendations that should contribute to the work of teachers, curriculum developers and policy makers as they refer to what students have learned about evolution and human diversity. These results confirm the fundamental importance of investment in education.

Anthropological variables as economic indicators.

Anthropological studies of human populations are traditionally aimed at identifying the relative contributions of the genetic, physiological and cultural mechanisms underlying the geographical micro-differentiation and adaptation of populations to the different environments in which they live. According to this approach, all anthropological variables are subjected to environmental pressures and can present variations of their frequencies among different populations. Some of them are of particular interest since, despite a strong genetic component, they show greater eco-sensitivity than others. Their variability in the passage from one generation to another is interpreted as phenotypically influenced by the environment in which the individuals grow. Some examples are stature, weight, and the timing and modes of pubertal development. The literature produced in regard to this issue is extensive and it is, mainly, the result of studies on conscripts series, in the case of stature, and field research projects conducted on single populations that refer to a specific moment or to limited periods of time (Baynouna et al., 2009; Jacobs & Tassenaar, 2004; Malina et al., 2010; Ji & Chen, 2008; Webb et al., 2008; Stock & Migliano, 2009). Thus, the evaluation of the biological history of most populations in relation to their ecological contexts is prevented, except in the case of the studies on conscripts series. The contemporary interest of both economists and demographers in the analysis of anthropometric data, namely of height, for the reconstruction of socioeconomic trends in Countries and/or periods lacking of any other kind of informative source, highlighted new possible insights in anthropological studies conducted by utilizing, not only stature, but all body measurements. This is due to the methodological introduction of analysing the data by age cohorts, generally 5 or 10 years age classes, that allows splitting the samples in several generations, thus following the evolution of body dimensions in several generations. It is within this context that the Italian Institute of Anthropology (www.isita-org.com) promoted a research project aimed at the recovery and digitization of anthropometric data collected by Italian anthropologists in many surveys conducted worldwide during the 20th century. The ultimate goal of the project is to contribute to the reconstruction of the biological history of these populations through estimates of the variations in space, namely microgeographic differentiation, and in time, namely the secular trend, of several anthropological parameters.

Microgeographic Differentiation in Historical Yemen Inferred by Morphometric Distances

Abstract This study analyzed the variations in space of 8 body dimensions and 11 measures of the head of 1,244 adult Yemenite males, collected in 1933/34 by Coon in Yemen and in Hadhramawt. The aim was to evaluate the presence of geographic microdifferentiation of the populations settled in the different regions of Yemen at the time. Coon sub-divided the sample into six geographical areas according to birthplace and ethnicity of the individuals: Tihamah, the Western Mountains, the Central Plateau, the South Coast, the Eastern Mountains, and Hadhramawt. The results of ANCOVA (age as covariate) show that the observed differences of all variables among the six groups were highly statistically significant. Tukeys post-hoc test reveals higher statistically significant differences among four main groups: (1) Tihamah; (2) the Western Mountains and Central Plateau; (3) the Eastern Mountains; and (4) the Southern Coast and Hadhramawt. Multiple discriminant analysis carried out using only the data of the 11 measures of the head, the more “genetically” determined variables, confirmed these differences. Indeed, the first canonical variate well separates the groups with the Tihamah, Southern Coast and Hadhramawt on the one side and the Eastern Mountains, Western Mountains and Central Plateau on the other. The second canonical variate separates the Tihamah, Western Mountains and Central Plateau from the Eastern Mountains, Southern Coast and Hadhramawt. In conclusion, the Yemenite population seems to be composed of three morphologically distinct groups and an Eastern Mountains group which is positioned between the group formed by the Southern Coast and Hadhramawt and the Western Mountains and Central Plateau group. The Tihamah is the most distant from all the other groups. These differences are probably due to the presence/absence of geographical and cultural barriers that have favored/blocked the gene flow over the years. Indeed, the entire coastal bell, through the centuries, has constituted one of the principal commercial routes between the East, Africa, and the eastern Mediterranean, while the high inland mountains have isolated the remaining communities. This data is also confirmed by genetic studies. Finally, the average height (162.6 cm) of the global Yemenite population, compared to data from the other six middle-eastern Arab countries and Egypt, was found to be 3–6 cm less. This characteristic will be further studied, analyzing variations in average height according to the different age classes in order to evaluate any possible secular changes.