RT Journal
A1 Hesse FG
T1 INcidence of cholecystitis and other diseases among pima indians of southern arizona
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1959
FD August 8
VO 170
IS 15
SP 1789
OP 1790
DO 10.1001/jama.1959.03010150033009
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.03010150033009
AB Among 2,688 Pima Indians above the age of 15 years there were 125 hospital admissions for cholecystitis during a two-year period. During that same period only three cases of myocardial infarction were definitely diagnosed, no patient was treated for angina pectoris, and no case of peptic ulcer was reported. The average Pima Indian was found to consume 2,800 calories daily, and fats comprised 24% of the calories intake, with 87% being animal fat; lard was used almost exclusively as a cooking fat. Meat and vegetables were usually eaten about once a week. The role of diet in the etiology of the disease pattern among Pima Indians is consistent with current thinking as to the pathogenesis of degenerative heart disease.