Anthropometry in adolescent girls in Kingston, Jamaica.

There is little information on the nutritional status of adolescents in developing countries. In particular there is a lack of data concerning black adolescents. We measured height, weight, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds in 452 13-14-year-old girls, randomly selected from those attending nine schools in Kingston, Jamaica. The girls' heights and body mass indices were appropriate for their age. This suggests that undernutrition was not a significant problem in this population. However, the girls' skinfolds were smaller than the US references, both those for the total population and those for blacks only. The fat pattern (triceps/subscapular ratio) was similar to that reported for adult black women in the United States. It is possible that the levels of fat in the references are not appropriate for this population. Data from other black populations are needed for comparison.

PIP: To obtain further information on the anthropometry of Black female adolescents in developing country settings, height, weight, and skinfold measurements were recorded for 452 randomly selected 13-14 year old girls attending nine secondary schools in Kingston, Jamaica. Although the heights and body mass index values of the Jamaican girls were comparable to those of the US reference population, the Jamaican teens had less fat at both triceps and subscapular skinfold sites. 23% of girls in the Jamaican sample had triceps skinfold thicknesses below the 5th percentile of the American references. The median triceps skinfold of Jamaican girls was also less than that of US Black females. The fat pattern (indicated by the mean triceps/subscapular ratio) among Jamaican girls was similar to that reported for adult Black women in the US and smaller than that among US White adult women. A correlation of anthropometric values and housing ratings indicated that more affluent Jamaican girls were slightly taller and heavier than their poorer counterparts and had more fat. Overall, these findings suggest that undernutrition is not a significant problem among low-income adolescent girls in Jamaica. The data from this study can be used for comparison with other Black populations in developing countries.

"I, Black woman, resist]" Katrina Payne talks to Alzira Rufino. Interview.

PIP: In this interview, Alzira Rufino describes her involvement in the feminist movement and what caused her to found the Black Women's House of Culture in Brazil in 1990. Rufino located the center in Santos because it is a port city which sees a great deal of violence and is very sexist and racist. The center, which exists to assist all women, grew out of a Rufino's realization that Black women needed a group to support their rights. The name for the center came from the fact that women have been the keepers of African culture in Brazil. In Brazil, White men dominate the culture, even the cultural expressions produced by Black people such as the Carnival. The center has had to overcome the criticism directed at it because it was created for women and for Black women in particular, and Black feminists are beginning to understand that Black women make up 25% of the population of Brazil and must celebrate their heritage. Increasing the self-esteem of Black women can be instrumental in helping women undergo training for better jobs and to take the initiative to become entrepreneurs. Black women in Brazil are beginning to occupy positions formerly denied them and to denounce the racism and sexism directed toward them.^ieng

[Fertility of black women: conjectures and questions]. / Fecundidade da mulher negra: constatacoes e questoes.

PIP: Fertility change in Brazil is analyzed using data from censuses from 1940 to 1980 and the PNAD surveys of 1976 and 1984. Topics covered include regional fertility differentials, differences by ethnic group and color, and the impact of educational status on marital fertility. Consideration is given to methodological problems.^ieng