Body shape in relation to socio-economic status in young adults from the basque Country.
Body shape has a great variability determined, partly, by energy intake and physical activity, as well as by gender and age. The aim of this research was to analyse the relation between socio-economic status (SES) and body shape estimated through the somatotype, in a sample of university students. The sample included 316 males and 635 females aged 18-33. Somatotype was estimated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric technique. The information included data of SES. A MANOVA test was used to test differences among groups. The mean somatotypes were 4.0-4.4-2.3 in males and 5.4 -3.4-2.2 in females. Sexual dimorphism for the whole somatotype was found (p < 0.001). There is a greater stability of the body shape in females regarding SES and more variability in males. Males' somatotype was significantly related to SES, low socioeconomic levels were associated with high values of endomorphy and mesomorphy.
Muñoz-Cachón
María Jesús
MJ
Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain. mariajesus.munoz@ehu.se
Salces
Itziar
I
Arroyo
Marta
M
Ansotegui
Laura
L
Rocandio
Ana María
AM
Rebato
Esther
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013008:Somatotypes