2024
Shaping childhood obesity: behavioral and environmental risk factors associated with body mass index trajectories between 2 and 9 years in Samoan children
Choy C, Johnson W, Naseri T, Filipo V, Arorae M, Tafunaina F, Unasa F, Savusa K, Reupena M, Braun J, Duckham R, Soti-Ulberg C, McGarvey S, Hawley N. Shaping childhood obesity: behavioral and environmental risk factors associated with body mass index trajectories between 2 and 9 years in Samoan children. International Journal Of Obesity 2024, 1-10. PMID: 39472691, DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01665-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBody mass indexDietary pattern adherenceHigher body mass indexPhysical activityNetherlands Physical Activity QuestionnaireRisk factorsBody mass index trajectoriesFood frequency questionnaire dataPhysical Activity QuestionnaireHigh physical activityBody mass index gainBehavioral risk factorsHousehold asset scoreLow household assetsCubic spline regressionAged 2 to 4 yearsAged 2Public health solutionsChildhood risk factorsSamoan childrenActivity QuestionnaireObesity preventionBMI trajectoriesObesity riskHealth solutionsAssociations between fasting glucose rate-of-change and the missense variant, rs373863828, in an adult Samoan cohort
Rivara A, Russell E, Carlson J, Pomer A, Naseri T, Reupena M, Manna S, Viali S, Minster R, Weeks D, DeLany J, Kershaw E, McGarvey S, Hawley N. Associations between fasting glucose rate-of-change and the missense variant, rs373863828, in an adult Samoan cohort. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0302643. PMID: 38829901, PMCID: PMC11146712, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsType 2 diabetesAllele of rs373863828Body mass indexFasting glucoseAdult SamoansDevelopment of type 2 diabetesOdds of type 2 diabetesReduction of modifiable risk factorsRs373863828 genotypeAssociated with higher body mass indexType 2 diabetes developmentGlucose rate of changeMass indexHousehold asset scoreUrbanization of residenceHigher body mass indexRisk factorsModifiable risk factorsRate of changeBaseline variablesMultivariate linear regressionPhysical activityDiabetes preventionType 2 diabetes mellitusSmoking statusAssociations of childhood BMI traits with blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin in 6–9‐year‐old Samoan children
Choy C, Johnson W, Braun J, Soti‐Ulberg C, Reupena M, Naseri T, Savusa K, Lupematasila V, Arorae M, Tafunaina F, Unasa F, Duckham R, Wang D, McGarvey S, Hawley N. Associations of childhood BMI traits with blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin in 6–9‐year‐old Samoan children. Pediatric Obesity 2024, 19: e13112. PMID: 38439600, PMCID: PMC11081844, DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBody mass indexBody mass index velocityBody mass index trajectoriesChildhood BMI trajectoriesBlood pressureHigher body mass indexChildhood characteristicsAssociation of HbA1cAssociated with higher BPAt-risk populationsSamoan childrenGlycated hemoglobinBMI trajectoriesPacific childrenPrevention effortsCohort studyElevated glycated hemoglobinHigher HbA1cMass indexHigh BPElevated BPYear oldsAt-riskMultilevel modelsRisk factors
2023
0750 Earlier bedtimes mediate the effect of a brief behavioral intervention on children’s BMIz
Hart C, Coffman D, Carskadon M, Raynor H, Jelalian E, Owens J, Hawley N, Wing R. 0750 Earlier bedtimes mediate the effect of a brief behavioral intervention on children’s BMIz. Sleep 2023, 46: a331-a331. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad077.0750.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBody mass indexBMI z-scoreBMI/BMI z-scoreBrief behavioral interventionSleep durationEffects of interventionsBehavioral interventionsWeight statusNocturnal sleepChild BMI z-scoreEarlier bedtimesBaseline BMI z-scoreSleep timingChild weight statusLong sleep durationNocturnal sleep durationObesity risk reductionMass indexPost randomizationWeight regulationMeaningful improvementsZ-scoreChildren's sleepChildren 8SleepPreterm birth among Pacific Islanders in the United States and the US‐affiliated Pacific Islands: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Wu B, Arslanian K, Nyhan K, Suss R, Mahoney M, McElfish P, Muasau‐Howard B, Ekeroma A, Hawley N. Preterm birth among Pacific Islanders in the United States and the US‐affiliated Pacific Islands: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Birth 2023, 50: 287-299. PMID: 37060205, PMCID: PMC10577805, DOI: 10.1111/birt.12713.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm birthPooled prevalencePacific Islander subgroupsWhite womenRisk factorsPacific IslandersPre-pregnancy body mass indexUS-Affiliated Pacific IslandsBody mass indexHighest pooled prevalencePerinatal health disparitiesPreterm birth prevalencePreterm birth outcomesOutcomes of interestRandom-effects modelPacific Islander womenBirth outcomesMass indexObservational studyPooled estimatesBirth prevalenceHigher oddsSystematic reviewMarshallese womenHealth disparitiesAssociation of rs9939609 in FTO with BMI among Polynesian peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand and other Pacific nations
Krishnan M, Phipps-Green A, Russell E, Major T, Cadzow M, Stamp L, Dalbeth N, Hindmarsh J, Qasim M, Watson H, Liu S, Carlson J, Minster R, Hawley N, Naseri T, Reupena M, Deka R, McGarvey S, Merriman T, Murphy R, Weeks D. Association of rs9939609 in FTO with BMI among Polynesian peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand and other Pacific nations. Journal Of Human Genetics 2023, 68: 463-468. PMID: 36864286, PMCID: PMC10313811, DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01141-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexMean body mass indexHigher body mass indexPrevious smaller studiesAssociation of rs9939609New Zealand PolynesiansMass indexFat massSmall studySignificant associationPolynesian ancestryFTO variantsRs9939609Effect size estimatesAssociationSimilar effectsMean effect size estimatePrevalence of malnutrition among Samoan children aged 5 to 11 years in 2019–2020
Choy C, Lupematasila V, Arorae M, Tafunaina F, Unasa F, Soti-Ulberg C, Reupena M, Duckham R, Faasalele-Savusa K, Naseri T, Hawley N. Prevalence of malnutrition among Samoan children aged 5 to 11 years in 2019–2020. Annals Of Human Biology 2023, 50: 200-205. PMID: 37166449, PMCID: PMC10214481, DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2023.2197298.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOverweight/obesityExact testWorld Health Organization z scoreNutrition transitionPrevalence of malnutritionBody mass indexFisher's exact testComplete physical assessmentLevel of malnutritionComprehensive intervention strategiesAnemia prevalenceMass indexSamoan childrenHigh prevalenceObesityHemoglobin concentrationAnemiaZ-scorePhysical assessmentPrevalenceModerate stuntingUnderweightChi-squareMalnutritionChild's age
2022
The missense variant, rs373863828, in CREBRF plays a role in longitudinal changes in body mass index in Samoans
Fu H, Hawley NL, Carlson JC, Russell EM, Pomer A, Cheng H, Naseri T, Reupena M, Deka R, Choy CC, McGarvey ST, Minster RL, Weeks DE. The missense variant, rs373863828, in CREBRF plays a role in longitudinal changes in body mass index in Samoans. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice 2022, 16: 220-227. PMID: 35606300, PMCID: PMC9373717, DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.04.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBMI rateHousehold asset scoreAA genotypeBody mass indexMissense variantsBMI of femalesSex-stratified modelsHigh rateAG participantsBaseline BMIMean BMICohort studyMass indexSamoan adultsPhysical activityGG genotypeBMIAge groupsA alleleLongitudinal changesAsset scoreRs373863828Older participantsFemalesCREBRFIs overweight or obesity associated with anemia in children? Follow-up of Samoans in the Ola Tuputupua’e “Growing Up” study
Choy CC, Howe CJ, Soti-Ulberg C, Naseri T, Reupena MS, Duckham RL, Hawley NL. Is overweight or obesity associated with anemia in children? Follow-up of Samoans in the Ola Tuputupua’e “Growing Up” study. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice 2022, 16: 144-150. PMID: 35256305, PMCID: PMC9636893, DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.02.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOverweight/obesityObesity-related inflammationPrevalence ratiosIron deficiencyDouble burdenPrevalence of anemiaBody mass indexAge z-scorePoisson regression modelsCohort studyMass indexSamoan childrenHigh prevalenceObesityAnemiaZ-scoreCovariate adjustmentConfidence intervalsMicronutrient deficienciesInflammationChildrenPrevalenceFurther investigationRegression modelsDeficiencyCREBRF missense variant rs373863828 has both direct and indirect effects on type 2 diabetes and fasting glucose in Polynesian peoples living in Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand
Russell EM, Carlson JC, Krishnan M, Hawley NL, Sun G, Cheng H, Naseri T, Reupena M, Viali S, Tuitele J, Major TJ, Miljkovic I, Merriman TR, Deka R, Weeks DE, McGarvey ST, Minster RL. CREBRF missense variant rs373863828 has both direct and indirect effects on type 2 diabetes and fasting glucose in Polynesian peoples living in Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care 2022, 10: e002275. PMID: 35144939, PMCID: PMC8845200, DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002275.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexType 2 diabetesAssociation of BMIHigher body mass indexMinor alleleType 2 diabetes riskCross-sectional associationsPacific Island populationsRs373863828 genotypeMass indexDiabetes riskHigher oddsLower oddsDiabetesObesityEvidence of differencesMissense variantsRs373863828Regression analysisGlucoseAssociationOddsIndirect effectsPolynesian individuals
2021
C‐reactive protein in adult Samoans: Population variation and physiological correlates
Rivara AC, Corley M, Choy CC, Duckham RL, Pomer A, Reupena MS, Viali S, Naseri T, Kershaw EE, Crouter SE, McGarvey ST, Bribiescas RG, Valeggia C, Hawley NL. C‐reactive protein in adult Samoans: Population variation and physiological correlates. American Journal Of Human Biology 2021, 34: e23646. PMID: 34260111, PMCID: PMC8758804, DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23646.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsC-reactive proteinBody mass indexCardiometabolic disease riskMeasures of adiposityAdult SamoansCRP correlateDisease riskSerum C-reactive proteinMeasures of BMICardiometabolic risk markersPercent body fatSex-dependent associationsCardiometabolic markersCardiometabolic riskCRP quartileMass indexUnadjusted analysesRisk markersBody fatKruskal-Wallis testAdiposityPacific Islander populationsSpearman rank correlationFirst examinationRank correlation
2020
Effect of maternal nutrient intake during 31–37 weeks gestation on offspring body composition in Samoa
Arslanian KJ, Fidow UT, Atanoa T, Naseri T, Duckham RL, McGarvey ST, Choy C, Hawley NL. Effect of maternal nutrient intake during 31–37 weeks gestation on offspring body composition in Samoa. Annals Of Human Biology 2020, 47: 587-596. PMID: 32892647, PMCID: PMC7900936, DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2020.1820078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfant body compositionDual-energy X-ray absorptiometryFood frequency questionnaireBody compositionDietary intakeBone massNutrient intakeMaternal body mass indexNewborn body compositionPregnancy dietary intakeMaternal dietary intakeOffspring body compositionMultivariable linear regression modelsBody mass indexWeeks of gestationMaternal nutrient intakeX-ray absorptiometryEnergy-dense dietPregnancy nutritionFrequency questionnaireFuture obesityInfant adiposityWeeks' gestationMass indexThird trimesterAssessing the impact of high blood pressure referrals on hypertension awareness and management, BMI, and blood pressure values in adult Samoans 2010–2019
Rivara AC, Pomer A, Naseri T, Reupena MS, Viali S, Choy CC, McGarvey ST, Hawley NL. Assessing the impact of high blood pressure referrals on hypertension awareness and management, BMI, and blood pressure values in adult Samoans 2010–2019. Annals Of Human Biology 2020, 47: 597-601. PMID: 32924611, PMCID: PMC8180238, DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2020.1822914.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsElevated blood pressureBody mass indexBlood pressureNon-communicable diseasesMedication usePhysician diagnosisRisk factorsLong-term health improvementsHypertension medication useBlood pressure valuesNCD risk factorsHypertension controlCardiometabolic healthHypertension awarenessMass indexAdult SamoansHealth referralsDisease burdenReduced oddsBP valuesSamoan adultsReferralLogistic regressionHealth sector actorsMcNemar testLongitudinal Assessment of Childhood Dietary Patterns: Associations with Body Mass Index z-Score among Children in the Samoan Ola Tuputupua'e (Growing Up) Cohort
Choy CC, Wang D, Naseri T, Soti-Ulberg C, Reupena MS, Duckham RL, Baylin A, Hawley NL. Longitudinal Assessment of Childhood Dietary Patterns: Associations with Body Mass Index z-Score among Children in the Samoan Ola Tuputupua'e (Growing Up) Cohort. Childhood Obesity 2020, 16: 534-543. PMID: 32907355, PMCID: PMC7575349, DOI: 10.1089/chi.2020.0058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDietary patternsHigh adherenceBody mass index zChildhood obesity prevention strategiesObesity prevention strategiesBody mass indexFood frequency dataChildhood dietary patternsBiological mother-child dyadsCohort studyMass indexPattern adherencePotential confoundersChildhood obesityPrevention strategiesMother-child dyadsLongitudinal assessmentTime pointsConvenience sampleAdherenceBMIzIntervention strategiesChildrenScoresAssociationA missense variant in CREBRF, rs373863828, is associated with fat-free mass, not fat mass in Samoan infants
Arslanian KJ, Fidow UT, Atanoa T, Unasa-Apelu F, Naseri T, Wetzel AI, Pomer A, Duckham RL, McGarvey ST, Strayer JA, Kershaw EE, Weeks DE, Hawley NL. A missense variant in CREBRF, rs373863828, is associated with fat-free mass, not fat mass in Samoan infants. International Journal Of Obesity 2020, 45: 45-55. PMID: 32884101, PMCID: PMC8329753, DOI: 10.1038/s41366-020-00659-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexDual-energy X-ray absorptiometrySamoan infantsBone massFat massLean massEarly infantsBody compositionInfant body mass indexMinor alleleDeterminants of adiposityOdds of diabetesBone mass accretionMissense variantsX-ray absorptiometryFat-free massCross-sectional analysisMore bone massCREBRF variantProspective studyHigher oddsEarly infancyInfantsAdult populationNatural historyEstimated Dietary Bisphenol-A Exposure and Adiposity in Samoan Mothers and Children
Heinsberg LW, Bui CNN, Hartle JC, Sereika SM, Choy CC, Wang D, Soti-Ulberg C, Naseri T, Reupena MS, Duckham RL, Park JJ, Hawley NL, Deziel NC. Estimated Dietary Bisphenol-A Exposure and Adiposity in Samoan Mothers and Children. Toxics 2020, 8: 67. PMID: 32887300, PMCID: PMC7560430, DOI: 10.3390/toxics8030067.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBody mass indexDietary BPA exposureAbdominal circumferenceBPA exposureModern dietary patternBisphenol A (BPA) exposureMother-child pairsDietary questionnaireMass indexPrevalent obesityFoods/beveragesDietary patternsSamoan mothersSignificant associationEndocrine disruptor bisphenolHigher incomeUnderstudied populationExposure indexMothersChildrenExposureFurther examinationAssociationHousehold-level characteristicsIndex
2016
A thrifty variant in CREBRF strongly influences body mass index in Samoans
Minster RL, Hawley NL, Su CT, Sun G, Kershaw EE, Cheng H, Buhule OD, Lin J, Reupena MS, Viali S, Tuitele J, Naseri T, Urban Z, Deka R, Weeks DE, McGarvey ST. A thrifty variant in CREBRF strongly influences body mass index in Samoans. Nature Genetics 2016, 48: 1049-1054. PMID: 27455349, PMCID: PMC5069069, DOI: 10.1038/ng.3620.Peer-Reviewed Original Research