The physique of young males in east Africa from the biosocial point of view.
The aim of this study is to show the correlation between the physique of Africans from Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and the conditions of their biosocial environment. All the young men examined were from Kenya (N=423), Tanzania (N= 153) and Sudan (N=154) aged 18 to 30. Based on the taken measurements (height, weight, sitting height, physiognomic leg length and chest, waist, hip, left thigh and left arm circumferences) the following indices were calculated: Body Mass Index (BMI), Rohrer's index and skelic index. The birth date, the number of children per ménage (in family), and the birth sequence of the examined subject were inquired. The measurement results were elaborated (worked out) statistically in accordance with commonly accepted standards. All the information contained in the collected material within the analysed countries was compared. On the basis of the measured traits and calculated indices it was found that the morphological constitution of the men from Sudan differed. Typical for this group are the largest stature length and the lowest weight and waist measurements. Kenyans are similar to Tanzanians, although the latter have higher weight, hip and thigh measurements and lower chest circumference. The characteristics of the examined Africans' morphological structure were analysed in comparison with the data available in literature and relating to the number of children in family, population density, illiteracy and the growth of income and of the HIV/AIDS problem.
Rebacz
Ewa
E
University of Szczecin, Poland. rebae@univ.szczecin.pl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013397:Sudan; D013636:Tanzania