| NSF Org: |
BCS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | July 24, 2017 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 24, 2017 |
| Award Number: | 1731128 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Rebecca Ferrell
rferrell@nsf.gov (703)292-7850 BCS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences SBE Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2019 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $25,116.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $25,116.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
|
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200 CHAPEL HILL NC US 27599-5023 (919)966-3411 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
104 Airport Dr Ste 2200 Chapel Hill NC US 27599-1350 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | Bio Anthro DDRI |
| Primary Program Source: |
|
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.075 |
ABSTRACT
This dissertation project is a biocultural investigation of iron deficiency and its connection to negative physiological outcomes in children living in multi-generational households where individuals experience both under- and overnutrition. Investigators will examine biological and ecological factors that influence child iron status, providing practical knowledge on determinants of iron deficiency and addressing the theory that low iron may be partially protective against infection. The research objectives and methods of this project will advance knowledge about human life history, and contribute to the discussion about why policies that aim to reduce iron deficiency and anemia are not always successful. This project will contribute to the education of a graduate student as well as provide training opportunities in anthropological and health sciences to a female community health worker. Investigators will distribute the results of this project through community workshops, meetings with local and national health agencies, and a series of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at anthropological, public health, and medical conferences.
While low levels of iron are associated with negative health outcomes, iron withholding is an important component in immune defense against infectious disease. The Optimal Iron Hypothesis (OIH) states that an individual's optimal iron status is contingent on their particular disease ecology. This project will test a new application of OIH in an area that suffers from the dual burden of over- and undernutrition. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, researchers will investigate the relationship between iron, infection, and malnutrition as well as examine household-level and biological predictors of current iron status. Investigators will employ interviews and observations to establish participant health histories, diet quality, and disease exposure in households. Researchers will also measure height and weight to establish nutrition status as well as gather data on iron status and infection through the collection and analysis of blood samples.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Analyses from this study established predictors of childhood anemia and response to iron supplementation, explored the relationship between energetics and immune response, as well as identified the role of intestinal microbiota diversity on recovery from anemia in a sample of pre-school-aged chidlren living in a Peruvian peri-urban community. The associations identified between child growth patterns coupled with maternal perceptions of child body size, household composition, and ecological changes in season with iron status indicate the importance of including a focus on caregivers, household, and environment in addition to individual-level variables in studies of childhood anemia. While obesity has been shown to increase inflammation and decrease iron absorption, results from my study complicate this narrative. Analyses show different patterns of iron absorption between children with high and low central adiposity and total body fat, this demonstrates how fat distribution can impact immune function and nutritional status. My work also identifies the intestinal microbiome as an underlying pathway linking nutritional deficiencies and disease ecology through observed differences in gut microbiota and taxa in pre- and post- iron supplementation samples, demonstrating the need to include gut health indicators in medical or nutritional interventions.
In addition to furthering anthropological theories, this project provided training opportunities and education in anthropological and health science to a female community health worker in Lima, Peru. This health worker was trained in conducting semi-structured interviews, 24-hour dietary recalls, anthropometric assessments, and household observations as well as dried blood spot collection. At the conclusion of data analysis, the results of this project will be presented to the community at a health workshop sponsored by the local clinic as well as at a Peruvian Ministry of Health bimonthly anemia meeting, informing them of the relationship between iron deficiency, diet, the gut microbiome, and local household disease exposures. This project therefore has the potential to influence local and national iron supplementation policies and programs throughout Peru.
Last Modified: 11/29/2019
Modified by: Achsah Dorsey
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
