Somatotypes of Andibila children aged 7 to 14 years in Oju, Nigeria

Abstract

Somatotype varies among individuals and populations. However, the somatotypes of Andibila children in Oju, Nigeria residing on a mountainous region have not been evaluated. This type of research is rare in tribal communities, especially in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study described the variations of body physique in Andibila children. The sample consisted of 120 Andibila children (76 boys and 44 girls) aged 7-14 years. Stature, body mass, four skinfold sites, two breadths and two girths were measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The mean somatoype was 1.20-2.41-2.58 for the males and 1.36-2.16-2.67 for the females. Although females were more endomorphic, less mesomorphic and more ectomorphic than males, the difference was statistically non-significant. Endomorphy component shows no significant sex difference at all the age groups. However, boys were more mesomorphic than girls at all ages. Girls were significantly more ectomorphic at ages 7-10, while boys exhibited higher ectomorphic rating than girls at ages 11-14 years. There was no sexual dimorphism observed in the somatotype components and somatotypes increases with age among the Andibila children studied. Further studies are needed to assess the stability or otherwise of these ST components.

Keywords: Body physique, Andibila people, sex differences, anthropometry.