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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu1295555626
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu12955556262021-08-03T06:01:16Z Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador Fitton, Lori J. <p>Economic development of tropical rainforests affects the health of indigenous populations. Environmental and cultural change can deplete natural resources, undermine traditional subsistence, increase population densities, and disrupt social systems thereby modifying health and disease patterns of native populations. Although acculturation can bring increased opportunities for health education and access to western medicines, it can cause the estrangement of indigenous groups resulting in lifestyle deterioration and an overall reduction in health.</p><p>This research examines cultural and biological variation among the Cofan, an indigenous Amazonian group of Northeastern Ecuador. Two closely related Cofan villages, Dureno and Zabalo, undergoing varying rates of acculturation and environmental pressures were chosen. As a population in transition, the Cofan present an opportunity to examine intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to acculturation. This study combines cultural and biomedical data to examine how these domains interact and change in response to acculturation and environmental degradation. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fecal samples, dental exams and blood samples determined physiological variability. Social assessments included lifestyle, health, and nutrition questionnaires designed to determine participation in non-Cofan lifeways, general health knowledge and lifestyle stress, unusual health conditions, and dietary diversity.</p><p>Results show that environmental degradation initiated a series of cultural changes in and around the village of Dureno. A decrease in wild game and fish reserves resulted in a subsistence shift from hunting and fishing to agriculture and raising livestock. Increasing population density and decreasing land availability are also contributing to a decline in health as seen with higher parasite loads. Residents of the Zabalo community have escaped environmental degradation by moving further into the rainforest. This group is younger, has a higher material lifestyle and socioeconomic status and scores higher on the acculturation index. Although trying to preserve their traditional subsistence lifestyle they too are affected by culture change. Zabalo residents selectively incorporate elements of the dominant society into their lifeways and supplement their indigenous lifestyle with an ecotourism business. Although not as environmentally destructive, ecotourism too may eventually have sociocultural and health costs for this population. For example, lifestyle stress, as measured by lifestyle incongruity, is higher in Zabalo, especially among males. Although weight and BMI does not differ between villages, males from Zabalo have larger upper arm and hip circumferences, higher rates of dental caries, and higher cholesterol compared to Dureno males. However, Dureno males and females have higher diastolic blood pressure and pulse rates compared to Zabalo.</p><p>The results of this study reveal the complex interplay between environment, culture, and health. The extent to which progressive acculturation will alter the health and disease status of this population, and the specific elements which are causative, are conjectural at the present time. However, by reaffirming their cultural identity and regaining a sense of control over their lives, indigenous groups such as the Zabalo Cofan may be reducing the psychological stress of change, thus reducing their risks of developing chronic conditions such as hypertension.</p> 1999 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1295555626 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1295555626 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
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NDLTD
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| language |
English
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| sources |
NDLTD
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| author |
Fitton, Lori J.
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| spellingShingle |
Fitton, Lori J.
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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Fitton, Lori J.
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| author_sort |
Fitton, Lori J.
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| title |
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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| title_short |
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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| title_full |
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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| title_fullStr |
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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| title_full_unstemmed |
Is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the Cofán of Ecuador
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| title_sort |
is acculturation healthy? : biological, cultural, and environmental change among the cofán of ecuador
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| publisher |
The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
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| publishDate |
1999
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| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1295555626
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| work_keys_str_mv |
AT fittonlorij isacculturationhealthybiologicalculturalandenvironmentalchangeamongthecofanofecuador
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1719429556046135296
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