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Results for “Independent State of Samoa”

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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Relations of body fat and fat distribution to the serum lipid, apolipoprotein and insulin concentrations of Samoan men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relations between obesity and serum concentrations of lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins, triglycerides and insulin in American and Western Samoans. Associations are also described between these CHD risk factors and abdominal adiposity, and the potential mediating role of insulin in these relationships is examined. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, using a sub-sample from an observational epidemiological study of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Samoans. MEASUREMENT: Obesity is estimated by the body mass index (BMI), and fat distribution by the abdomen-hip circumference ratio (AHR). All biochemical parameters were measured in the fasted stated. SUBJECTS: The sub-sample is 178 men and 147 women who were free from hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. RESULTS: In multivariate linear regression analyses in men the BMI was positively associated with levels of total cholesterol, the total-HDL cholesterol ratio, apolipoprotein B, and the log of triglyceride and insulin concentrations, and negatively associated with HDL and HDL2 cholesterol. The quadratic term for BMI was also found to be significantly predictive of all metabolic parameters in men, except for the log of serum insulin concentrations. Among the women, in contrast, BMI levels were significantly associated only with concentrations of HDL2 cholesterol, triglyceride and insulin. In men, the associations between the AHR and the metabolic parameters were similar to those described for the BMI, but showed no indication of non-linearity. Addition of the log of insulin to these models had little effect on the relations between the AHR and the lipid parameters, with the exceptions of total cholesterol and triglycerides. As with BMI, the AHR was much les predictive of metabolic parameters in women than in men, with a significant relation existing only with the log of insulin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These cross sectional data indicate that overall and abdominal adiposity are important correlates of serum lipid parameters among Samoan men, though the associations with BMI are attenuated at higher levels. Neither anthropometric indicator has much relation with these CHD risk factors among the women, perhaps due to extremely high levels of obesity in this group.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dietary intake of modernizing Samoans: implications for risk of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the dietary intake of American and Western Samoans, with emphasis on nutrients conventionally related to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional dietary survey. Intake estimates were based on 24-hour recall interviews. SUBJECT: Community-based samples of 946 men and women (455 American Samoans, 491 Western Samoans) aged 25 to 55 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Tests of differences in means (t tests) and proportions (chi 2 tests). Correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to describe correlates of energy and nutrient intakes. RESULTS: Few differences were noted between the energy and nutrient intakes of men and women, but substantial differences were found between residents of American Samoa and those of the less modernized country of Western Samoa. American Samoans consumed significantly more energy as carbohydrate (47% vs 44%) and protein (18% vs 13%) and less as fat (36% vs 46%) and saturated fat (16% vs 30%). Energy-adjusted intakes of cholesterol and sodium were higher among American Samoans. These differences persisted after adjustment for age, gender, years of education, occupation, and categories of a 10-point material lifestyle score. Samoans in the lowest category of material lifestyle had significantly lower energy-adjusted intakes of protein, cholesterol, and sodium and higher intakes of saturated fat than those in the upper 2 categories. Additional analyses described the contribution of specific foods to the intakes of energy and macronutrients. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS: The observed energy and nutrient intake patterns are consistent with previously reported levels of obesity and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among Samoans and suggest dietary modification for those at highest risk. Dietetics practitioners who counsel Samoan and other Pacific Islander clients should be aware of these intake patterns, which seem particularly malleable to levels of personal income. More generally, results from this study illustrate that the food choices of certain ethnic groups may be profoundly affected by the process of modernization within a country or by migration to a more economically developed locale.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The occurrence of trophoblastic disease in Western Samoa.

In order to study the occurrence of hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma in the island of Western Samoa in the South Pacific, a delivery based study was carried out. All deliveries, both livebirths and stillbirths at the main referral centre (National Hospital), all livebirths at the district hospitals/health centres and all live home deliveries 1980-87 were included. Thirty-two hydatidiform mole cases were recorded on pathological and clinical grounds. No case of choriocarcinoma was encountered. The incidence rate of hydatidiform mole was estimated to be 0.90 per 1000 deliveries, the estimated frequency rate being 1:1109 deliveries. The mean age of cases was 31 years, ranging from 19 to 48. It is suggested that the incidence of trophoblastic disease is not significant in Western Samoa in terms of geographical variations. The importance of methodology in estimating the incidence was also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural infections of Dirofilaria immitis in Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis and Aedes (Finlaya) samoanus and their implication in human health in Samoa.

Dirofilaria immitis infections were observed in Aedes polynesiensis and Ae. samoanus in Samoa, together with Wuchereria bancrofti infections, in a study on sub-periodic bancroftian filariasis during 1978-1980. In the 4 indicator villages, the infection rate in Ae. polynesiensis was 0.46% and the infective rate 0.09% (15,223 mosquitoes were dissected). The infection rate in Ae. samoanus was 0.20% and the infective rate 0.08% (10,089 dissected). In 45 selected villages throughout the country, Ae. polynesiensis infection and infective rates were 0.92% and 0.29% (7575 dissected) and the rates for Ae. samoanus were 0.21% and 0.07% (9093 dissected). Infection with D. immitis was comparable in degree and distribution to that with W. bancrofti. There was a steady and consistent exchange of parasites between the human and canine populations, creating conditions favourable for human dirofilariasis in Samoa. Clinicians are warned against this probable human infection.

Aedes↗
PubMed1983

Block grant programs--Office of the Secretary, HHS. Final rule with comment period.

This rule amends current regulation at 45 CFR 96.112(b) to allow continued funding of the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) in the territories of Guam and American Samoa during Fiscal Year (FY) 1983. This change was made necessary by the limitations imposed on CSBG funding by section 138 of Pub. L. 97-276.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1979

[Endemic eye diseases in Samoa, 1910-1913].

In the years 1910/13 two endemic infections of the conjunctiva were found in Samoa in addition to ocular manifestations of filiariosis. One of these infections was obviously trachoma, the other an acute micrococcus catarrhalis conjunctivitis by diplococcus samoensis.

Conjunctivitis↗
PubMed1984

Medicine in western Samoa.

This article describes the geographical, historical, economic and cultural background of Western Samoa. It explores the present medical problems and those likely to occur in the future, and draws attention to the medical manpower needs of a developing Pacific nation.

Culture↗
PubMed1994

Dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity in western Samoa over the 13 year period 1978-1991.

Obesity and an increasing prevalence of associated conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are frequently observed in Pacific populations as lifestyles become more modernized. In 1978, a survey conducted in three geographically defined populations in Western Samoa showed large differences in the prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m2) between rural and urban populations. A follow-up survey using similar methods was performed in 1991 to examine the current level of obesity in these three locations and to assess changes over time. Cross-sectional differences in the prevalence of obesity, mean BMI and waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR) between urban Apia and rural Poutasi and Tuasivi were examined after adjusting for age. There were higher levels of obesity in urban vs rural areas: 74% of women in Apia were obese compared with 62% in Poutasi and 56% in Tuasivi. In men, comparable figures were 57%, 44% and 36% for Apia, Poutasi and Tuasivi respectively. Mean BMIs followed the same pattern. By contrast, WHR varied little between locations. Even in subjects aged 25-34 years, more than 50% of women in all locations, and 45% of urban men were obese. Increasing physical activity in men, but not women, was associated with lower mean BMI. Increasing education level and job status were associated with increasing BMI but these relationships were significant only in men. Multivariate analysis showed age, location (urban), occupation (high status, women), and in men, physical inactivity, to be independently associated with increased risk of obesity. Prevalence of obesity increased dramatically between 1978 and 1991 in all locations, but especially in Tuasivi, where in males the increase was 297% and in females 115%. There was a rightward shift in the distribution of body mass index in both sexes and all locations. These extreme increases in the prevalence of obesity, even in young adults, over the relatively short 13-year study period suggest an increasing burden of chronic diseases facing Western Samoa in the future, and emphasize the need for effective intervention to bring about lifestyle modification.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1993

Stroke and traumatic brain injury (ma'i ulu) in Amerika Samoa.

This paper discusses the annual incidence of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in American Samoa. Findings are based on data collected from the medical records at LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Amerika Samoa from June 1, 1989 to May 31, 1990. A review of these medical records revealed that stroke and TBI were prevalent among the residents of Amerika Samoa during the time period sampled. Health and cultural factors which contribute to the occurrence of stroke and TBI in Amerika Samoa and recommendations for further investigation and prevention of stroke and TBI in that country are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The physician-specialist in Western Samoa.

An analysis of the work content of the physician-specialist at Apia General Hospital, Western Samoa, over a 12-month period in 1973-74 is described. Respiratory infections, rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, peptic ulcer, and various forms of liver disease were encountered most commonly.

Adult↗