Staffan Lindeberg made this very interesting point:

"However, contemporary Trobriand Islanders in Kitava are very lean and
obesity is absent despite a carbohydrate intake which is higher than in
Western populations (approximately 70 per cent of calories). There
is food
in abundance and no starvation. Low serum insulin levels (extremely well
predicted from their body mass index) which decrease with age suggest
rarity or absence of insulin resistance (Lindeberg et al, submitted).

Possibly, the quality rather than the quantity of carbohydrates is
important; carbohydrate-rich foods with a low glycemic index and a high
nutrient density (per energy unit), such as Kitavan tubers and fruit, may
be preferable to cereals and sugar (and potatoes?)."

I wonder if Staffan could indicate something of the nature of the
physical activties, and their patterns over the season and by age,
of these islanders.  Surely, their fitness would be a factor so
that, even with a very high CHO intake, they might retain their
insulin sensitivity.  Is it not also true that insulin resistance
increases as body fat accumulates, particularly in the abdominal
area?  Might not the leanness of these peoples be a factor?  If they
are active, have adequate lean body mass, and (therefore) retain
insulin sensitivity, then perhaps the Trobriand Islanders Paradox
can be explained.  The quality of the food may also be a
contributing factor, as this assures a good lean body mass among all
ages.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arthur De Vany
Professor
Institute for Mathematical Behavioral Sciences
3151 Social Science Plaza
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949-824-5269
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