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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher qualify 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA UIVQ800-521-0600 IS ACCULTURATION HEALTHY? BIOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AMONG THE COFAN OF ECUADOR. DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Lori J. Fitton, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1999 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Douglas E. Crews, Adviser Approved by Dr. Frank E. Poirier Dr. Ivy L. Pike Adviser Department of Anthropology UMI Kumber: 9951654 Copyright 1999 by Fitton, Lori J. All rights reserved UTVLI UMI Microform 9951654 Copyright 2000 by Beil & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against imauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 Copyright by Lori J. Fitton 1999 ABSTRACT 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. 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 lifes^le, health, and nutrition questionnaires designed to determine participation in non-Cofan lifeways, general health knowledge and lifestyle stress, unusual health conditions, and dietary diversity. 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 ii population density and decreasing land availability are also contributing to a decline in health as seen with higher parasite loads. Residents o f 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. 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. Ill Dedicated to my parents, Ernest and Lena Biagioni, who instilled in me a love of nature and encouraged me not only to ask questions but to search for answers. For this and much more I am forever grateful. IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation could not have been completed without out the assistance of many people. First and for most my sincere thanks to the Cofan communities of Dureno and Zabalo. Thank you for letting me into your lives your kindness will not be forgotten. This study is part of The Ohio State University CEHAB project (Conservation, Education, Human Adaptability and Biodiversity in Amazonia ) therefore, I thank Dr. Frank E. Poirier and Dr. Gary Mullins (Co-directors of CEHAB) for their support throughout this project. I express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Frank E. Poirier for introducing me to the Cofan and presenting me with this research opportunity. I will be forever gratefiil for his support, advice, and guidance throughout my years at The Ohio State University. His words of encouragement helped me through some rough times. I especially thank my adviser. Dr. Douglas Crews for presenting me with many challenging opportunities throughout my graduate studies. His guidance as a researcher along with his editorial and statistical expertise were invaluable. In addition, I am grateful to Dr. Ivy Pike for her statistical help, and for her encouragement and advice throughout the writing process. I also would like to thank Dr. James Bindon for his help with the lifestyle incongruity and dietary data. I am deeply grateful to the Borman families (Bub and Bobbie; Randy and Amelia; Ron and Esther) for introducing me to the Cofan communities and aiding in data collection. I only hope we can work together again in the near future. I also thank my translator Diego Vallejo, and my friends at EcoCiencia, Roberto Ulloa, and Mario Garcia. I thank several corporations for graciously donating supplies for this study; Bayer Diagnostics for supplying the Glucometer® supplies, Boehringer Mannheim for supplying the Accustat® HCG pregnancy tests, ChemTrak for supplying the Accumeter® Cholesterol test kits, HemoCue for supplying microcuvettes for hemoglobin analyses, and Meridian Diagnostics for supplying the SAF® fecal collection systems. A special thanks to Sharon Williams and Kevin Organisciak for their help with data collection, and to Bobby Ghaheri and Melissa Reece-Nelson for their assistance in sample preparation. I also thank Dr. Gillian Harper for her advice and words of encouragement throughout this study. Finally, I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support and encouragement during the many hours taken from them to write and think. Most importantly, I thank my husband, Barney Fitton. He was the impetus for me to attend graduate school, and his unwavering and patient support throughout my field research and many years of education were truly exceptional. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. V I VTTA April 18, 1958 ...............................................................Born - La Salle, Illinois 1978 AAS Medical Technology, Sauk Valley College, Illinois 1992................................................................. B.A. Anthropology, The Ohio State University 1994..................................................................... M.A. Anthropology, The Ohio State University 1992-1994...................................................................... Graduate Research Associate, The Ohio State University 1995-1998.......................................................................Graduate Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS Fitton LJ, Crews DE.(1993) Glucose determinations in field situations: comparison of portable monitoring devices and chemistry analyzers. American Journal of Human Biology. 5(1) Abstract