Case study of a rare occipital osteoma related to cranial trauma.

Burial 280 is a 31- to 40-year-old male Native American individual who lived in a 10th to 16th century coastal foraging society in California. His remains display a large ectocranial elevation on the occipital, measuring 23.3 mm anteroposteriorly, 25.3 mm mediolaterally, and is elevated to 20.1 mm. It is located along the superior nuchal line on the left side of the occipital and represents an extremely rare occipital localization of a particular type of trauma-related osteoma. In our prior study of Burial 280, trauma etiology was not considered; herein, we present evidence for such a cause. Such trauma-related neoplasms are sometimes called ballooned (or giant, depending on size) osteomas. The presence of this tumor appears to have resulted in asymmetrical cranial muscle use and consequent skeletal changes. This case study illustrates that cranial trauma may sometimes induce benign tumor elevations, rather than a depression or pronounced fracture.

Enigmatic cranial superstructures among Chamorro ancestors from the Mariana Islands: gross anatomy and microanatomy.

This study focuses on the gross anatomy, anatomic relations, microanatomy, and the meaning of three enigmatic, geographically patterned, and quasi-continuous superstructures of the posterior cranium. Collectively known as occipital superstructures (OSSs), these traits are the occipital torus tubercle (TOT), retromastoid process (PR), and posterior supramastoid tubercle (TSP). When present, TOT, PR, and TSP develop at posterior cranial attachment sites of the upper trapezius, superior oblique, and sternocleidomastoid muscles, respectively. Marked expression and co-occurrence of these OSSs are virtually circumscribed within Oceania and reach highest recorded frequencies in protohistoric Chamorros (CHamoru) of the Mariana Islands. Prior to undertaking scanning electron microscopy (SEM) work, our working multifactorial model for OSS development was that early-onset, long-term, and chronic activity-related microtrauma at enthesis sites led to exuberant reactive or reparative responses in a substantial minority of genetically predisposed (and mostly male) individuals. SEM imaging, however, reveals topographic patterning that questions, but does not negate, activity induction of these superstructures. Although OSSs appear macroscopically as relatively large and discrete phenomena, SEM findings reveal a unique, widespread, and seemingly systemic distribution of structures over the occipital surface that have the appearance of OSS microforms. Nevertheless, apparent genetic underpinnings, anatomic relationships with muscle entheses, and positive correlation of OSS development with humeral robusticity continue to suggest that these superstructures have potential to at once bear witness to Chamorro population history and inform osteobiographical constructions of chronic activity patterns in individuals bearing them. Further work is outlined that would illuminate the proximate and ultimate meanings of OSS.

The Influence of Obesity on the Self-Reported Health Status of Chamorros and other Residents of Guam.

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER. We report on an analysis of the relationship of obesity to self-assessments of physical health for a probability sample of Guam's indigenous (Chamorro) and resident populations. Further, we examine whether Guam's populations fit a Western model, in terms of viewing obesity as an unhealthy condition. As background for our analysis, we review the literature on (1) the relationship between obesity and chronic noninfectious diseases; (2) social and behavioral associations of obesity; and (3) the reliability of self-assessed physical health and measures of obesity. METHODS. The data analyzed were taken from a Behavioral Risk Factor Survery (BRFS) conducted on Guam in 1991. We employed various standard univariate (chi-square analysis, ANOVA) and multivariate (OLS regression and logisitic regression analusis) statistical procedures in exploring our data and testing hypotheses on the correlates and associations of self-reported health and obesity. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Controlling for ethnicity, age, gender, marital and socioeconomic status, we found that obesity and being Chamorro was associated significantly with low assessments of physical health and that income was a signifcant predictor of higher self-assessments. A small sample of Micronesians, with a slightly greater level of obesity than the Chamorros, did not show the same tendency towards lower self-evaluation of their health. This probably reflects their lesser degree of internalizaition of Western ideas about obesity, appearance and health. When controlling for self-assessments of physical health, obesity was also shown to be related significantly with dieting by Chamorro women but was not a significant predictor of their increased participation in physical exercise. Young males were significantly more likely to report participation in physical exercise regardless of their weight or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS. We hypothesize that historical (acculturative) changes to the diet and life ways of Chamorros, together with a likely genetic predisposition to store fat, has led to the relatively high levels of obesity seen on Guam today. Because of internalization of Western ideals about obesity and appearance, and increased community awareness of the health perils of obesity, Chamorros are at a public health crossroads. Effective health interventions must reckon with powerful genetic and cultural cross-currents. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS. Colleagues are encouraged to examine the effects of ethnicity and acculturation on the health attitudes, behaviors, and status of other Pacific Islander and Asian populations. The creation of such a comparative data base will service APIA health interventions. KEY WORDS. Guam, Chamorros, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, survey, obesity, self-evaluated health status, socioeconomic status, cross-cultural comparisons.