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Causes and consequences of adult sex ratio imbalance in a historical U.S. population.

ABSTRACT: The responsiveness of individuals to partner availability has been well-documented across the literature. However, there is disagreement regarding the direction of the consequences of sex ratio imbalance. Specifically, does an excess of males or females promote male-male mating competition? In an attempt to clarify the role of the adult sex ratio (ASR) on behaviour, here we evaluate both competing and complimentary expectations derived from theory across the social and biological sciences. We use data drawn from a historical, nineteenth century population in North America and target several life-history traits thought to be affected by partner availability: age at first birth, relationship status, completed fertility and longevity. Furthermore, we assess the role of various contributors to a population's ASR. We find that both the contributors to and consequences of sex ratio imbalance vary over time. Our results largely support predictions of greater male pairbond commitment and lesser male mating effort, as well as elevated bargaining power of women in response to female scarcity. After reviewing our findings, and others from across the literature, we highlight the need to adjust predictions in response to ASR imbalance by the: (i) culturally mediated mating arena, (ii) variable role of demographic inputs across time and place, (iii) constraints to behavioural outcomes across populations, and (iv) ability and accuracy of individuals to assess partner availability.This article is part of the themed issue 'Adult sex ratios and reproductive strategies: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies'.

SUBMITTER: Schacht R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5540856 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Causes and consequences of adult sex ratio imbalance in a historical U.S. population.

Schacht Ryan R Smith Ken R KR

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences 20170901 1729

The responsiveness of individuals to partner availability has been well-documented across the literature. However, there is disagreement regarding the direction of the consequences of sex ratio imbalance. Specifically, does an excess of males or females promote male-male mating competition? In an attempt to clarify the role of the adult sex ratio (ASR) on behaviour, here we evaluate both competing and complimentary expectations derived from theory across the social and biological sciences. We us ...[more]

PMID: 28760757

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Project description:In SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), a systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal of <120 mm Hg resulted in lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with an SBP goal of <140 mm Hg.The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, number, and characteristics of U.S. adults meeting SPRINT eligibility criteria and determine the broader population to whom SPRINT could be generalized.We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007 to 2012. The SPRINT inclusion criteria were age ?50 years, SBP 130 to 180 mm Hg depending on the number of antihypertensive medication classes being taken, and high CVD risk (history of coronary heart disease, estimated glomerular filtration rate of 20 to 59 ml/min/1.73 m(2), 10-year CVD risk ?15%, or age ?75 years). Exclusion criteria were diabetes, history of stroke, >1 g in 24 h of proteinuria daily, heart failure, estimated glomerular filtration rate <20 ml/min/1.73 m(2), or receiving dialysis. Treated hypertension was defined by self-reported use of medication to lower blood pressure with ?1 class of antihypertensive medication identified through a pill bottle review.Overall, 7.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0% to 8.3%) or 16.8 million (95% CI: 15.7 to 17.8 million) U.S. adults, and 16.7% (95% CI: 15.2% to 18.3%) or 8.2 million (95% CI: 7.6 to 8.8 million) adults with treated hypertension met the SPRINT eligibility criteria. Among both the overall U.S. population and adults with treated hypertension, the percentage meeting SPRINT eligibility criteria increased with older age, was higher among males than females, and was higher among non-Hispanic whites compared with non-Hispanic blacks or Hispanics. Of U.S. adults eligible for SPRINT, 51.0% (95% CI: 47.8% to 54.1%) or 8.6 million (95% CI: 8.0 to 9.1 million) were not treated for hypertension.A substantial percentage of U.S. adults meet the eligibility criteria for SPRINT.

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Causes and consequences of adult sex ratio imbalance in a historical U.S. population.

Publications

Causes and consequences of adult sex ratio imbalance in a historical U.S. population.

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