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Traditional Societies (traditional + society)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Edible insects: Traditional knowledge or western phobia?

ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009
Alan L. YEN
Abstract With an increasing human population and environmental degradation, the world faces a major problem in providing adequate animal based proteins. Many traditional societies have used or still use insects as a protein source, while westernized societies are reluctant to use insects, despite being the major consumers of animal proteins. We now need to consider insects as a source of food for humans in a manner that acknowledges both the role of entomophagy in indigenous societies and the need for westernized societies to reduce the size of their environmental footprint with regard to food production. The situation on continents such as Africa, Asia, and Central and South America has some parallels to Australia in that there are two forces in operation: the sustainable traditional use of edible insects and the "westernization" of these societies leading to a movement away from entomophagy. However, the potential to reach a compromise is greater in these continents because entomophagy is already accepted. The major challenges will be establishing sustainable production systems that include food safety and security as well as environmental protection. Whether this will happen or not will depend upon: (i) a major change in attitude in westernized societies towards entomophagy; (ii) pressure to conserve remaining habitats in a sustainable manner; (iii) economic impetus to develop food production systems that include insects; and (iv) an acknowledgement that achieving adequate nutrition on a global basis will involve different diets in much of the developed world. [source]

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in two tribal populations of the sub-Himalayan region of India: Ethnic and rural,urban differences

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Sobhanjan Sarkar
This study was undertaken to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome in traditional societies in the sub-Himalayan region and to assess the impact of modernization on the risk to the syndrome. Two tribal populations,Toto and Bhutia,with a shared ancestry and habitat were selected. Some Bhutians have adopted a modern lifestyle. The study design permitted assessment of the relative roles of lifestyle and genetic factors in influencing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our study has revealed that metabolic syndrome (or its contributing variables) can be a major health problem, even in traditional rural ethnic groups, indicating that this syndrome is not necessarily a result of modernization or urbanization. Dyslipidemia seems to be the major contributor to metabolic syndrome. Further, our study indicates that genetic factors that adversely affect the levels of such variables have long antiquities in Indian ethnic groups. We find that there is an additional adverse impact of adoption of urban lifestyles (perhaps primarily mediated through dietary changes) on metabolic syndrome. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:814,817, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The Flagbearers: Israeli Druze Women Challenge Traditional Gender Roles

ANTHROPOLOGY & EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2006
Naomi Weiner-Levy
This ethnographic study expands educational anthropologists' knowledge of the relationship between higher education and personal and social change in so-called traditional societies. It describes transitions in the status of Druze women in Israel brought about by the first women from the community to obtain higher education, granting new insights into women's struggles for change. The study, conducted between 1998 and 2002, explores unique processes of change compatible with Druze tradition and culture initiated by these "first women," who served as role models and struggled to pave the way for themselves and other women in the community. The findings challenge research literature that expresses disappointment with the activities and influence of educated Arab women after returning to their society, thus enriching working anthropological theories that concern the dynamics of social change brought about by educated women. [source]

Socio-demographic and psychopathologic correlates of enuresis in urban Ethiopian children

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2007
Menelik Desta
Abstract Aim: To examine the association between enuresis and psychopathology in urban Ethiopian children. Methods: A two-stage mental health survey of 5000 urban children found enuresis to be by far the most common disorder. Logistic regression modelling was carried out to determine the independent associations of a number of socio-demographic and psychopathological characteristics with enuresis. Results: Male sex, younger age and lower achieved educational grade of the child were all independently associated with childhood enuresis. The odds of having enuresis were significantly higher for children in families with significant financial worries and in children from homes where parents were separated. Children with DSMIII-R anxiety disorders, especially simple phobia, or disruptive behaviour disorders were found to have significantly higher odds of having enuresis. Conclusion: Psychopathology, both anxiety and behavioural disorders, as well as family stressors in urban Ethiopian children were found to be risk factors for enuresis. Although a cause-effect relationship could not be ascertained, the findings of higher association of psychopathology with enuresis in this and other studies indicate that there is a need for evaluating children with enuresis for the presence of concurrent psychopathology, especially in traditional societies where undetected psychopathology may be more common. [source]