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<dc:date>2025-07-02T11:24:28-07:00</dc:date>
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:prism="http://prismstandard.org/namespaces/basic/2.0/" version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</title> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R</link> <description>Table of Contents for American Journal of Human Biology. List of articles from both the latest and EarlyView issues.</description> <language>en-US</language> <copyright>© Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</copyright> <managingEditor>wileyonlinelibrary@wiley.com (Wiley Online Library)</managingEditor> <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:10:00 +0000</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:10:00 +0000</lastBuildDate> <generator>Atypon® Literatum™</generator> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <ttl>10080</ttl> <dc:title>Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</dc:title> <dc:publisher>Wiley</dc:publisher> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <atom:link href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml"/> <image> <title>Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</title> <url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pb-assets/journal-banners/15206300.jpg</url> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R</link> </image> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70086?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:24:28 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-07-02T11:24:28-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70086</guid> <title>Biological Mechanisms for Allen's Rule: DNA Methylation as Mediator of the Association Between In Utero Exposure to Environmental Heat and Tibial Growth in Childhood</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>Our study contributes to a frontier stage in scientific studies on the precise epigenetic mechanisms regulating phenotypic plasticity in humans in response to heat stress for complex traits like linear growth. We present evidence of an indirect effect (through DNA methylation) of heat exposure in utero on later childhood differences through one mediator in a heat shock protein that seems to enhance tibial growth (suggestive of adaptive resilience), while multiple mediators near genes relevant to linear growth, the immune system, and cellular maintenance and repair seem to suppress tibial growth. Early‐life‐primed heat stress response has important implications for climate change risk versus resilience: our study highlights tibial growth as a key biomarker of that contrast. ABSTRACT ObjectivesUnderstanding human phenotypic plasticity in response to social, ecosystem, and climate interactions can be an important tool for designing social and public health strategies that increase climate change resilience. Sensitivity of the tibia to environmental perturbations is well established; moreover, Allen's rule predicts relatively longer tibial length in hotter climates. In this study, we hypothesized DNA methylation (DNAm) changes as potential mechanisms for impacts of environmental heat exposure in utero persisting in childhood tibial growth in Kenyan Samburu pastoralist children ages 1.8–9.6 years living in a global climate change vulnerability hotspot. MethodsDNAm data was measured from whole saliva using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. To test our hypothesis, we tested for differential DNAm and we performed high‐dimensional mediation analysis using high‐resolution (0.05 × 0.05) land surface temperature variables (LST) for each trimester of gestation and compared this to models using a coarser method (contrasting climate zones). ResultsWe found differentially methylated CpG sites in both LST and comparison models, near genes relevant to linear growth, with some overlap between models, as expected. We identified 37 CpG sites mediating the association between LST > 37°C exposure in utero and tibial growth into childhood, and 13 CpG sites as mediators in comparison models. ConclusionsTo our knowledge, these are the first results to identify biological mediators linking environmental heat to lower limb growth in children. The findings contribute evidence of epigenetic mechanisms relevant to Allen's rule and of the tibia as a key biomarker of early life conditions. </dc:description> <content:encoded><img src="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/cms/asset/b54ae7ba-614e-4a73-998f-313dabbd3d0c/ajhb70086-toc-0001-m.png" alt="Biological Mechanisms for Allen's Rule: DNA Methylation as Mediator of the Association Between In Utero Exposure to Environmental Heat and Tibial Growth in Childhood"/><p>Our study contributes to a frontier stage in scientific studies on the precise epigenetic mechanisms regulating phenotypic plasticity in humans in response to heat stress for complex traits like linear growth. We present evidence of an indirect effect (through DNA methylation) of heat exposure in utero on later childhood differences through one mediator in a heat shock protein that seems to enhance tibial growth (suggestive of adaptive resilience), while multiple mediators near genes relevant to linear growth, the immune system, and cellular maintenance and repair seem to suppress tibial growth. Early-life-primed heat stress response has important implications for climate change risk versus resilience: our study highlights tibial growth as a key biomarker of that contrast.</p><br/><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Objectives</h2><p>Understanding human phenotypic plasticity in response to social, ecosystem, and climate interactions can be an important tool for designing social and public health strategies that increase climate change resilience. Sensitivity of the tibia to environmental perturbations is well established; moreover, Allen's rule predicts relatively longer tibial length in hotter climates. In this study, we hypothesized DNA methylation (DNAm) changes as potential mechanisms for impacts of environmental heat exposure in utero persisting in childhood tibial growth in Kenyan Samburu pastoralist children ages 1.8–9.6 years living in a global climate change vulnerability hotspot.</p><h2>Methods</h2><p>DNAm data was measured from whole saliva using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. To test our hypothesis, we tested for differential DNAm and we performed high-dimensional mediation analysis using high-resolution (0.05 × 0.05) land surface temperature variables (LST) for each trimester of gestation and compared this to models using a coarser method (contrasting climate zones).</p><h2>Results</h2><p>We found differentially methylated CpG sites in both LST and comparison models, near genes relevant to linear growth, with some overlap between models, as expected. We identified 37 CpG sites mediating the association between LST &gt; 37°C exposure in utero and tibial growth into childhood, and 13 CpG sites as mediators in comparison models.</p><h2>Conclusions</h2><p>To our knowledge, these are the first results to identify biological mediators linking environmental heat to lower limb growth in children. The findings contribute evidence of epigenetic mechanisms relevant to Allen's rule and of the tibia as a key biomarker of early life conditions.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Bilinda Straight, Xi Qiao, Duy Ngo, Charles E. Hilton, Charles Owuor Olungah, Claudia Lalancette, Amy Naugle, Belinda L. Needham</dc:creator> <category>SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Biological Mechanisms for Allen's Rule: DNA Methylation as Mediator of the Association Between In Utero Exposure to Environmental Heat and Tibial Growth in Childhood</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70086</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70086</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70086?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70097?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 02:18:53 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-07-02T02:18:53-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70097</guid> <title>The Structure of the Ukrainian Population Based on Surname Distribution</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACT ObjectiveThis paper examines the consequences of migration and other demographic processes for Ukraine's population through the analysis of surname distribution. Materials and MethodsThe dataset included 697 147 surnames of 46 431 365 residents of Ukraine in 2001. The research methodology follows the approach of I. Barrai and applies the indicator CRSED proposed by J. Chen to assess the diversity of surnames in 25 regions of Ukraine in the context of historical population dynamics. ResultsA comparison of surname frequency distributions across regions reveals greater cultural and demographic stability in areas with high CRSED values. Low CRSED values correspond to regions with extensive and diverse immigration accompanied by high levels of migrant assimilation. DiscussionThe distribution of surnames in Ukraine reflects the influence of historical events, including colonization, industrialization, armed conflicts, and political transformations. The application of isonymy and CRSED indices enables the detection of underlying demographic and social processes that have shaped the modern population structure. The study offers new insights into the historical development of Ukraine's population and provides guidance for population policy planning. </dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Objective</h2><p>This paper examines the consequences of migration and other demographic processes for Ukraine's population through the analysis of surname distribution.</p><h2>Materials and Methods</h2><p>The dataset included 697 147 surnames of 46 431 365 residents of Ukraine in 2001. The research methodology follows the approach of I. Barrai and applies the indicator CRSED proposed by J. Chen to assess the diversity of surnames in 25 regions of Ukraine in the context of historical population dynamics.</p><h2>Results</h2><p>A comparison of surname frequency distributions across regions reveals greater cultural and demographic stability in areas with high CRSED values. Low CRSED values correspond to regions with extensive and diverse immigration accompanied by high levels of migrant assimilation.</p><h2>Discussion</h2><p>The distribution of surnames in Ukraine reflects the influence of historical events, including colonization, industrialization, armed conflicts, and political transformations. The application of isonymy and <i>CRSED</i> indices enables the detection of underlying demographic and social processes that have shaped the modern population structure. The study offers new insights into the historical development of Ukraine's population and provides guidance for population policy planning.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Vladyslav Shuba, Yaroslav Yasinskyi, Liubov Atramentova</dc:creator> <category>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>The Structure of the Ukrainian Population Based on Surname Distribution</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70097</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70097</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70097?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70095?af=R</link> <pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:33:04 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-07-01T12:33:04-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70095</guid> <title>Political Liberation, Hope, and Social Competition Are the Motor of Secular Trends in Height</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACT BackgroundLong‐term improvements in physical living conditions correlate with long‐term trends in height. AimTo link temporal characteristics of the secular trend in height with the simultaneous political and economic dynamics. Sample and MethodsHeight of men of the German Armed Forces born between 1865 and 1975 was correlated with indicators of economic prosperity (GDP), nutrition and health (infant mortality), and indicators of social inhomogeneity (income inequality and household wealth share). The time periods before 1916, between 1916 and 1933, 1947, 1973, and after 1989 were separately analyzed. Coherence analysis was used to assess the changes in the temporal trends. ResultsMean height of young adult men increased by 0.45 mm/year (before 1916), by 2.15 mm/year (1916–1933), by 1.87 mm/year in the early Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) until 1973, by 1.45 mm/year in the late FRG, and by 4 mm/year in East German conscripts after the reunification in 1989. The most substantial height increments occurred in periods of political upheaval and loss of state authority. ConclusionThe nonlinear pattern of secular height increments in Germany since the late 19th century suggests that political liberation, hope for a better life, and illusions of equity, freedom, justice, and the expectation of social advancement are associated with competitive growth, strategic growth adjustments, and finally, long‐term and substantial secular trends in height. </dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Background</h2><p>Long-term improvements in physical living conditions correlate with long-term trends in height.</p><h2>Aim</h2><p>To link temporal characteristics of the secular trend in height with the simultaneous political and economic dynamics.</p><h2>Sample and Methods</h2><p>Height of men of the German Armed Forces born between 1865 and 1975 was correlated with indicators of economic prosperity (GDP), nutrition and health (infant mortality), and indicators of social inhomogeneity (income inequality and household wealth share). The time periods before 1916, between 1916 and 1933, 1947, 1973, and after 1989 were separately analyzed. Coherence analysis was used to assess the changes in the temporal trends.</p><h2>Results</h2><p>Mean height of young adult men increased by 0.45 mm/year (before 1916), by 2.15 mm/year (1916–1933), by 1.87 mm/year in the early Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) until 1973, by 1.45 mm/year in the late FRG, and by 4 mm/year in East German conscripts after the reunification in 1989. The most substantial height increments occurred in periods of political upheaval and loss of state authority.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The nonlinear pattern of secular height increments in Germany since the late 19th century suggests that political liberation, hope for a better life, and illusions of equity, freedom, justice, and the expectation of social advancement are associated with competitive growth, strategic growth adjustments, and finally, long-term and substantial secular trends in height.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Christiane Scheffler, Detlef Groth, Michael Hermanussen</dc:creator> <category>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Political Liberation, Hope, and Social Competition Are the Motor of Secular Trends in Height</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70095</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70095</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70095?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70098?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2025 02:18:19 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-06-28T02:18:19-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70098</guid> <title>Evaluation of the Relationship Between Aggression and Digit Ratio Through a Cross‐Sectional Study Among Hitit University Students</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACT ObjectivesThe second‐to‐fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is widely recognized as a biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been previously linked to aggression. This association demonstrates sex‐specific variability and is further modulated by both biological and environmental influences. The present study aims to examine the relationship between 2D:4D and levels of aggression, including subtypes of aggression, among university students of Turkish ethnic origin residing in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. Additionally, the study explores sex differences in these associations. MethodThis cross‐sectional study included 203 undergraduate students (108 females, 95 males) from Hitit University. Participants not affiliated with the university were excluded. The 2D:4D were measured using a digital caliper, and aggression levels were assessed using the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Statistical analyses comprised the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsIn females, significant yet weak negative correlations were found between the lengths of the right‐hand 2D, right‐hand 4D, and left‐hand 4D and both physical and verbal aggression scores (p < 0.05; r = 0.20–0.39). A weak negative correlation was also observed between the right‐hand 4D and the total BPAQ score (p = 0.024, r = −0.218). Furthermore, weak positive correlations were identified between the left‐hand 2D:4D and both physical aggression and total aggression scores. Among males, weak but significant positive correlations were identified between the right‐hand 2D length and the left‐hand 2D:4D and anger subscale scores (p = 0.043, p = 0.009; r = 0.20–0.39). Similarly, weak positive correlations were observed between the right‐hand 2D and 2D:4D and hostility subscale scores (p = 0.031; r = 0.20–0.39). Additionally, a weak negative correlation was found between the right‐hand 4D and verbal aggression (p = 0.017, r = −0.244). Finally, a weak but significant positive correlation was detected between the right‐hand 2D:4D and the total BPAQ score (p = 0.012, r = 0.28). ConclusionsThe findings indicate that digit ratio does not exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; however, the expression of aggressive behavior appears to differ by sex. In females, shorter digit lengths (2D and 4D) are negatively associated with specific subdimensions of aggression, whereas in males, higher 2D:4D is positively correlated with anger and hostility. Although these results diverge from trends commonly reported in the literature and reached statistical significance, the low correlation coefficients warrant cautious interpretation. </dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Objectives</h2><p>The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is widely recognized as a biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been previously linked to aggression. This association demonstrates sex-specific variability and is further modulated by both biological and environmental influences. The present study aims to examine the relationship between 2D:4D and levels of aggression, including subtypes of aggression, among university students of Turkish ethnic origin residing in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. Additionally, the study explores sex differences in these associations.</p><h2>Method</h2><p>This cross-sectional study included 203 undergraduate students (108 females, 95 males) from Hitit University. Participants not affiliated with the university were excluded. The 2D:4D were measured using a digital caliper, and aggression levels were assessed using the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Statistical analyses comprised the Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis.</p><h2>Results</h2><p>In females, significant yet weak negative correlations were found between the lengths of the right-hand 2D, right-hand 4D, and left-hand 4D and both physical and verbal aggression scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05; <i>r</i> = 0.20–0.39). A weak negative correlation was also observed between the right-hand 4D and the total BPAQ score (<i>p</i> = 0.024, <i>r</i> = −0.218). Furthermore, weak positive correlations were identified between the left-hand 2D:4D and both physical aggression and total aggression scores. Among males, weak but significant positive correlations were identified between the right-hand 2D length and the left-hand 2D:4D and anger subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.043, <i>p</i> = 0.009; <i>r</i> = 0.20–0.39). Similarly, weak positive correlations were observed between the right-hand 2D and 2D:4D and hostility subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.031; <i>r</i> = 0.20–0.39). Additionally, a weak negative correlation was found between the right-hand 4D and verbal aggression (<i>p</i> = 0.017, <i>r</i> = −0.244). Finally, a weak but significant positive correlation was detected between the right-hand 2D:4D and the total BPAQ score (<i>p</i> = 0.012, <i>r</i> = 0.28).</p><h2>Conclusions</h2><p>The findings indicate that digit ratio does not exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; however, the expression of aggressive behavior appears to differ by sex. In females, shorter digit lengths (2D and 4D) are negatively associated with specific subdimensions of aggression, whereas in males, higher 2D:4D is positively correlated with anger and hostility. Although these results diverge from trends commonly reported in the literature and reached statistical significance, the low correlation coefficients warrant cautious interpretation.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Fırat Koç</dc:creator> <category>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Evaluation of the Relationship Between Aggression and Digit Ratio Through a Cross‐Sectional Study Among Hitit University Students</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70098</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70098</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70098?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70099?af=R</link> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2025 23:53:39 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-06-27T11:53:39-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70099</guid> <title>Sex Ratio at Birth in Northern Ireland During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Comparison With Published Data From the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACT ObjectivesThe COVID‐19 pandemic has been linked in several countries to fluctuations in the proportion of male live births/total live births, known as the sex ratio at birth (SRB). This study investigates how the pandemic influenced SRB patterns in Northern Ireland compared to published data from neighboring regions, including the Republic of Ireland with which it shares an open land border, and England and Wales, across the sea. MethodsMonthly live birth data for Northern Ireland from 2015 to 2021 were obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. A time series analysis predicted the SRB for 2020 using data from 2015 to 2019. Predicted and observed SRB values were compared for 2020. ResultsIn August 2020, 5 months after the pandemic declaration, the SRB fell significantly to 49.13%, the period's lowest, below the 95% prediction interval (50.09%–51.85%). In December 2020, 9 months after the declaration, the SRB rose to 54.48%, exceeding the prediction interval (49.75%–51.57%). This overall SRB pattern resembled that in England and Wales but differed from the Republic of Ireland. ConclusionThe decline in SRB in August 2020, occurring 3–5 months after the pandemic declaration, suggests the pandemic disproportionately affected male fetuses in Northern Ireland. The rise in December, 9 months after the declaration, may relate to increased sexual activity in March 2020 following lockdown in a subset of the population. Northern Ireland's SRB pattern aligns more with England and Wales than the Republic of Ireland, indicating that socio‐political ties in the United Kingdom may be more influential for pandemic response than geographical proximity. </dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Objectives</h2><p>The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked in several countries to fluctuations in the proportion of male live births/total live births, known as the sex ratio at birth (SRB). This study investigates how the pandemic influenced SRB patterns in Northern Ireland compared to published data from neighboring regions, including the Republic of Ireland with which it shares an open land border, and England and Wales, across the sea.</p><h2>Methods</h2><p>Monthly live birth data for Northern Ireland from 2015 to 2021 were obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. A time series analysis predicted the SRB for 2020 using data from 2015 to 2019. Predicted and observed SRB values were compared for 2020.</p><h2>Results</h2><p>In August 2020, 5 months after the pandemic declaration, the SRB fell significantly to 49.13%, the period's lowest, below the 95% prediction interval (50.09%–51.85%). In December 2020, 9 months after the declaration, the SRB rose to 54.48%, exceeding the prediction interval (49.75%–51.57%). This overall SRB pattern resembled that in England and Wales but differed from the Republic of Ireland.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The decline in SRB in August 2020, occurring 3–5 months after the pandemic declaration, suggests the pandemic disproportionately affected male fetuses in Northern Ireland. The rise in December, 9 months after the declaration, may relate to increased sexual activity in March 2020 following lockdown in a subset of the population. Northern Ireland's SRB pattern aligns more with England and Wales than the Republic of Ireland, indicating that socio-political ties in the United Kingdom may be more influential for pandemic response than geographical proximity.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Gwinyai Masukume, Peyton Cleaver, Roy K. Philip, Victor Grech, Amy L. Non</dc:creator> <category>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Sex Ratio at Birth in Northern Ireland During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Comparison With Published Data From the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70099</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70099</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70099?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70100?af=R</link> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2025 22:29:04 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-06-27T10:29:04-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.70100</guid> <title>Market Integration and Secular Changes in Anthropometric Characteristics in Two Maya Communities From Yucatan, Mexico</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACT ObjectiveTo compare the changes in children's height, weight, and BMI from two Maya communities during 1986–2023 in order to analyze if their differences in degrees of participation in market economy are reflected in secular changes in growth measures. Material and MethodsWe compared the changes in height, weight, and BMI of 1463 children (6–12 years) from two communities (Dzeal and Yalcoba) differing by speed and degree of market integration along three points in time: 1986/1987, 1996–1998/2000 and 2022/2023. Linear regression models were adjusted to estimate the changes in height‐for‐age (HAZ) and BMI‐for‐age Z‐scores (BMIZ) in each community by age group and sex using the period of measurement as the independent variable. ResultsIncreases in HAZ between 1986/1987 and 2022/2023 were greater in children from the community with slower integration into the market economy (Dzeal). Differences in total increases between 1986/1987 and 2022/2023 in HAZ between communities were 0.50 (boys) and 1.19 (girls) standard deviations (SD) score in the 6–8‐year‐old group and 0.40 (boys) and 0.41 SD (girls) in children aged 9–12. Total increases in BMIZ were 0.81 SD (boys) and 1.07 SD (girls) in children (6–8 years) from the community with rapid integration (Yalcoba); changes in children with slower integration were not significant. ConclusionThe rapid integration of the community into the market economy seems to favor larger secular increases in children's BMI and smaller increases in linear growth. </dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h2>Objective</h2><p>To compare the changes in children's height, weight, and BMI from two Maya communities during 1986–2023 in order to analyze if their differences in degrees of participation in market economy are reflected in secular changes in growth measures.</p><h2>Material and Methods</h2><p>We compared the changes in height, weight, and BMI of 1463 children (6–12 years) from two communities (Dzeal and Yalcoba) differing by speed and degree of market integration along three points in time: 1986/1987, 1996–1998/2000 and 2022/2023. Linear regression models were adjusted to estimate the changes in height-for-age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age <i>Z</i>-scores (BMIZ) in each community by age group and sex using the period of measurement as the independent variable.</p><h2>Results</h2><p>Increases in HAZ between 1986/1987 and 2022/2023 were greater in children from the community with slower integration into the market economy (Dzeal). Differences in total increases between 1986/1987 and 2022/2023 in HAZ between communities were 0.50 (boys) and 1.19 (girls) standard deviations (SD) score in the 6–8-year-old group and 0.40 (boys) and 0.41 SD (girls) in children aged 9–12. Total increases in BMIZ were 0.81 SD (boys) and 1.07 SD (girls) in children (6–8 years) from the community with rapid integration (Yalcoba); changes in children with slower integration were not significant.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The rapid integration of the community into the market economy seems to favor larger secular increases in children's BMI and smaller increases in linear growth.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Hugo Azcorra, María Teresa Castillo‐Burguete, Julio Lara‐Riegos, Valery Sarabia‐Herrera, Juan Carlos Salazar‐Rendón, Nina Mendez‐Dominguez, C. Marjorie Aelion, Thomas Leatherman</dc:creator> <category>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Market Integration and Secular Changes in Anthropometric Characteristics in Two Maya Communities From Yucatan, Mexico</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.70100</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.70100</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.70100?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.24099?af=R</link> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2025 22:22:48 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-06-27T10:22:48-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206300?af=R">Wiley: American Journal of Human Biology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/ajhb.24099</guid> <title>Issue Information</title> <description>American Journal of Human Biology, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2025. </description> <dc:description/> <content:encoded/> <dc:creator/> <category>ISSUE INFORMATION</category> <dc:title>Issue Information</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/ajhb.24099</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>American Journal of Human Biology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/ajhb.24099</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.24099?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ISSUE INFORMATION</prism:section> <prism:volume>37</prism:volume> <prism:number>7</prism:number> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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