European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPARATIVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY ANTHROPOMETRIC FEATURES OF THE IGBO, IJAW AND YORUBA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Okoh P. D.* and Didia B. C.

ABSTRACT

Circumferential anthropometry is a branch of physical anthropology which measures precisely and systematically the body. The study aimed at investigating and comparing the circumferential body anthropometric dimensions of the Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba of southern Nigeria. The research design was a cross-sectional design. The study utilized a total number of one thousand two hundred (1200) participants with four hundred (400) randomly selected from Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba ethnic groups whose ages ranged from 21 to 40 years and BMI range of 18.50 to <30.00. Minimum sample size determination was done using the Taro Yamane’s formula. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social science (SPSS version 25.0). Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD; minimum and maximum. Age was categorized into two groups (21 – 30 and 31 – 40) years while Body Mass Index (BMI) was also categorized into two; normal weight (18.5 – 24.9 designated ≤ 25.0) and slightly overweight (25.0 – 30.0 designated ≥ 25.0). Independent sample t-test was therefore carried out to determine significant difference in the measured anthropometric variables across age and BMI groups. The confidence interval was set at 95%, therefore p< 0.05 was considered significant. Impact of age and variations in BMI were also observed in the anthropometric parameters. These anthropometric values will find use in medical sciences and forensics.

Keywords: Linear, body, anthropometric, dimensions, southern Nigeria.