ZIMMET ET AL.

groups such as Polynesian and Micronesian islanders existed in the “thrift” situation and this might explain the persistence of the diabetic genotype during evolution despite its apparent lethality. With these populations changing to a western lifestyle, the genotype has now been unmasked and has become a distinct dis- advantage. Wisez6 has produced laboratory evidence to support Neel’s hypothesis as applied to the diabetic state.

It appears that while the presence of a diabetic genotype is important, it is the effect of environ- mental factors that plays an important role in the high prevalence in the American Indians”, Polynesians’, *, and Micr~nesians.~, West2’ has suggested that increased sugar consumption, decreased physical activity, and obesity may be the significant environmental factors involved. These are all part of the change from traditional to urban lifestyle, and all these factors appear to be operative in the population we have studied.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge with gratitude the help of the late Hon. Austin Bernicke, former Minister for Health and Education for permission for the study to proceed and whose support made the survey possible. We are indebted to Dr. David Bernshaw for his help in the field studies, Mrs. Sunny Whitehouse for the computer analysis of data, and Mrs. Vivien Zimmet for help with the compilation and analysis of the data.

References

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3. ZIMMET, P., TAFT, P., GUINEA. A , GUTHRIE, W. and THOMA, K. (1977): The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus on a Central Pacific island, Diubetologia 13, I 1 1

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5 . SLOAN, N. R. (1963). Ethnic distribution of diabetes mellitus in Hawaii, J . Amer. med. Ass. 183, 419.

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9 . ZIMMET, P. and TAFT. P. (in press): The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus on a Central Pacific island. In: Eprdemiology of Diabetes, Miller, M. and Bennett, P. H. eds , New York, Academic Press.

10 HOLMES, N. (19761: This is the world’s richest nation-all of it! Narional Geographic 150, 344.

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London.

ERRATUM TO

(Calvert, A. et ul.), Volume 7, October 1977, page 500) “EXERCISE TESTING-NORMAL A N D CORONARY DISEASE”

The regression equation predicting the Maximum Work Capacity for normal men, using weight as an alternative for height should read :

W.Max (men) = (6 weight (kg) - 14 age (yrs) + 1392) = ( & 230 kpm (SE))