Genetic studies in the Atlantic Azores Islands (1500 km far from Portugal) show that the modern population is composed of both northern and southern European populations. However, a significant Chinese input of HLA characteristic genes is noticed, possibly with people or genes that may have been left by Zheng-He very big crew which sailed seas from China in a long-lasting expedition (1421–1423 AD). This was concluded after Azorean HLA genetics comparison with HLA genes of worldwide populations by both neighbour joining and correspondence methodology. Also, the Machado- Joseph ataxia disease gene variant (ATXN3, Chr 14) is identical in China and the Azores, where this ataxia was discovered, and it has a high frequency. Moreover, the predisposing HLA-B*2707 gene variant to ankylosing spondylitis is the same in Azores and Far East Asian countries. This data may reflect a strong founder Chinese effect followed by isolation in Azores. In addition, “Carthaginian” coins were found in Corvo Is (Azores) of Spanish fabrication. This is contradictory to the official version that pre- Portuguese Azores had been virgin and inhabited. Also, Cart–ruts in Azores indicate a (Atlantic) common culture with Canary Islands and Mediterranean area. On the other hand, genetic studies on Canarians show that they present European, Iberian and Berber characteristics. A prehistoric lunisolar megalithic calendar is found: “Quesera” (Cheeseboard) of Zonzamas, pyramids similar to those found in nearby Western Sahara (90 km far from Canary Islands). In addition, lbero-Guanche rock scripts which can be transcripted with Iberian-Tartessian signary and are also found at Tim Missaw shelter (Sahara Desert, Algeria). Populated green Sahara area dissecation after 5000 years BC and subsequent people migration could be the origin of Canary Islands, Sahara and other Mediterranean culture traits. Thus, we have defined the Saharo-Canarian Circle as a genetic, anthropological, and prehistoric culture radiation area; it might have given raise to the Iberian-Tartessian signary and to other ancient lineal Mediterranean scripts.
This review aimed to synthesize evidence from 2010–2024 on the nutritional status of adult tribal populations in India, with a focus on Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) as assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI). Given the persistent health disparities among India’s Scheduled Tribes (STs), the study sought to examine geographic patterns, sex differentials, and contextual determinants of undernutrition across major tribal regions of the country. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and JSTOR to identify peer-reviewed studies on adult tribal nutrition in India published between 2010 and 2024. National datasets—including the Census of India (2011) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–2021)—were used to provide demographic and health context. Eligible studies reported BMI-based nutritional assessments using the WHO (1995) BMI classification (CED defined as BMI < 18.5 kg/m2). Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Extracted data were summarized by region, tribe, sex, and CED prevalence. The review reveals pronounced regional and sex‑based disparities in CED among tribal adults. Northern and Northeastern tribal groups exhibited highly variable CED levels, ranging from very low in the Apatani (≤2%) to extremely high among Gujjar and Bakerwal women (90.7%). Eastern India showed consistently elevated CED, particularly among the Bhumij, Lodha, Kheria, and Santal tribes, with female CED often exceeding 50%. Central and Western tribes—including the Gonds, Kharwar, Mawasi, and Tadvi—displayed widespread undernutrition driven by food insecurity, poverty, and limited healthcare access. Southern India showed critical CED prevalence among Jenu Kuruba and Koraga adults (>90%), while island populations such as the Shompens exhibited low CED but high anaemia burdens. NFHS-5 corroborated these findings, indicating serious national-level CED prevalence among ST adults (18.4% in men, 25.5% in women). Across regions, coexisting burdens of anaemia, tuberculosis, hemoglobinopathies (e.g., sickle cell disease), leprosy, and vector-borne diseases further compounded poor nutritional status. Adult tribal populations in India experience disproportionately high levels of CED, shaped by intersecting structural and cultural determinants including poverty, geographic isolation, gender inequality, food insecurity, and limited access to health services. The wide regional variability underscores the need for targeted, culturally informed, region-specific nutritional interventions. Strengthening surveillance, improving healthcare accessibility, and promoting community-engaged, bottom-up health strategies are essential for reducing disparities and achieving national commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the mandate to “Leave no one behind”.
China, with its vast territory, harbors abundant regional food resources with multiple values in nutrition, ecology, and anthropology. However, simply adopting the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Geographical Indication (GI) system for classifying and managing these agricultural products fails to fully reflect their authentic natural and anthropological attributes, which cannot support the development of local characteristic economies and food cultural ecosystems. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a hierarchical classification standard system for regional food resources tailored to China’s national conditions. This paper proposed a new definition for China’s endemic and characteristic food resources and summarizes interdisciplinary research methods for exploring their biological and cultural attributes. Additionally, the economic and sociological values of these resources were discussed. The proposed classification standards provide guidance for the industrialization of regional food resources in China and offer new ideas for transforming biodiversity into novel productive forces in characteristic industries.
