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Biomedical subjects

B F Walker

Publications and source records attributed to B F Walker.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose tolerance and other variables in obese black adolescent girls.

Obesity is very common in South Africal Black girls aged 18 - 20 years. Severely obese White women have greatly reduced values for serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In a series of Black girls studied in rural and urban areas, mean values for HDL cholesterol were not significantly different in the obese compared with the non-obese groups. There were also no significant differences between obese and non-obese groups in mean serum cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, and blood glucose at fasting and 1 hour after a glucose drink. The same finding prevailed regarding blood pressures. All values for blood components were biologically more favourable in Black than in White adolescent girls (reported values). Mean sugar intakes of the obese were not significantly lower. Evidently, the metabolic and other disabilities linked with obesity in young White women have no counterpart in obese Black adolescent girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Faecal pH value and its modification by dietary means in South African black and white schoolchildren.

Mean faecal pH values did not differ significantly in groups of rural South African Black schoolchildren of 10--12 years who ate their traditional high-fibre low-fat diet, and urban dwellers who consumed a partially westernized diet. However, both means were significantly lower than those of groups of White schoolchildren. In feeding studies of 5 days' duration, mean faecal pH value of Black children became significantly less acid when white bread replaced maize meal, and became significantly more acid when a supplement of 6 oranges was consumed daily. Supplements which consisted of skim milk, butter, and sugar had no significant effect on mean faecal pH value. In White children in an institution, the mean pH value of faeces became significantly more acid when a supplement of 6 oranges, although not of bran 'crunchies', was consumed daily.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1978

High high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol in African children and adults in a population free of coronary heart diseae.

The serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the proportion it constitutes of total serum cholesterol are high in children and low in sufferers from coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies in elderly black Africans in Western Transvaal showed them to be free of CHD. HDL concentrations measured at birth and in groups of 10- to 12-year-olds, 16- to 18-year olds, and 60- to 69-year-olds showed mean values of 0.96, 1.71, 1.58, and 1.94 mmol/l (36, 66, 61, and 65 mg/100 ml) respectively; these concentrations constitued about 56%, 54%, and 45%, and 47%, of total cholesterol. Values thus did not fall from youth to age as they did in whites. Rural South African blacks live on a diet high in fibre and low in animal protein and fat; children are active; and adults remain active even when old. These high values of HDL may well be representative for a population that is active, used to a frugal traditional diet, and free from CHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Blood pressure of Indian and Coloured Schoolchildren aged 10--12 years.

In South Africa, hypertension is common among Indian and Cape Coloured adults. To throw light on this adverse situation, blood pressures are being determined in these ethnic groups. In the first instance, pupils aged 10--12 years were studied. Mean data are among the lowest on record for children. They are similar to values found for rural and urban Black pupils but significantly lower than most corresponding values published for White children. Neither salt nor sugar intakes appear influential. It would seem that factors which promote hypertension in adults in the two ethnic groups are not yet evident in the prepubertal Indian and Coloured children.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1978

Growth, school attendance, and serum albumin levels in South African black children of 10-12 years.

Studies on representative series of South African Black schoolchildren aged 10-12 years revealed the following. (1) In the age sex groups, mean proportions lying below the Boston 3rd percentile of weight for age were high (a very common phenomenon), ranging from 20-84 per cent. (2) Of total moieties above and below the 3rd percentile, 96 per cent and 95 per cent had normal weight for height (more than 80 per cent of the 50th percentile of reference standards). (3) Both moieties had equally excellent records of school attendance, 94 per cent and 93 per cent. (4) Mean serum albumin levels, also the proportions having relatively low levels, did not differ significantly, either in the respective subgroups above and below the 3rd percentile, or in groups of pupils accustomed and not accustomed to supplementary school-feeding. Accordingly, it is considered that classification, without qualification, of schoolchildren as malnourished simply because of slower growth compared with western norms is unwarranted.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1978

Blood pressures of South African black schoolchildren aged 10--12 years.

In South Africa, in urban but not rural areas, hypertension in Black adults is commoner than in local White adults. To throw light on this situation, blood pressures have been determined in series of South African Blacks, initially on children aged 10--12 years, in rural and urban areas. Mean data are among the lowest recorded. They are lower (p less than 0.01) in the main than those of Black children in U.S.A. Neither levels of salt nor sugar intakes appeared influential. Evidently, noxious factors promotive of hypertension in urban Black adults are not yet in operation in children.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1978

Serum alpha 2 globulin concentrations in South African Negro adults free from coronary heart disease.

In Western populations serum alpha 2 globulin concentration has been reported to be significantly higher in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with those unaffected. In South Africa, since CHD is extremely rare in Negroes in rural areas, it was judged of value to determine serum alpha 2 globulin concentrations in I. groups of rural elderly Negroes (men and women), and, for comparison, II. two groups of middle-aged to elderly White men, one free from overt CHD, and the other, patients with CHD. Mean values on the Negroes were significantly higher than those on both the White groups. In the latter, the group with CHD had a significantly higher mean value than the non-CHD group. Possible reasons for high values in the Negro groups are an ethnic difference, early malnutrition, greater exposure to infections, and pattern of habitual diet. It is concluded that interpretation of a raised serum alpha 2 globulin concentration in relation to proneness to CHD is influenced by the population concerned.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

Studies on increases in growth rate of South African Black schoolchildren and their significance to health.

Heights and weights of Black schoolchildren aged 8-14 years, at five rural and two urban centres, have been compared with data secured at these places 12-38 years ago. Significant increases have occurred, although heights and weights in general remain lower than international reference standards. In the mass, pupils have normal weight for height. Evidence suggests that Black schoolchildren experience a high level of everyday good health. This must be validated. Research is required to determine the precise degrees of morbidity and mortality prevailing in slower compared with faster growing pupils.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Weight, height and triceps skindfold in South African black, Indian and White School pupils of 18 years.

In representative series of Sout African Black, Indian and White High School pupils of 18 years, data were secured on weight, height and triceps skinfold. Values among Black boys were significantly lower than those among White boys. Yet, obesity was far commoner among Black compared with White girls. Among Indian pupils, there were no significant differences in mean anthropometric values between groups relatively affluent and relatively poor. Values on Indian boys were similar to those of Black boys, although the former were far more favourably placed socioeconomically. Indian girls, compared with Black girls, had highly significantly lower values for weight and skinfold thickness, but not for height. However, mean weight for height values for Black and Indian boys were similar to values for White boys. Weight for height values for Indian girls were similar to data for White girls, although values on these two ethnic groups were significantly lower than those for Black girls. Findings question the insistence by many (i) of the need to attain maximum potential growth, and (ii) apart from extreme wasting and stunting, of the need to conform to international growth standards.

Adolescent↗