Changes in somatotypes between 5 to 16 years in rajput and brahmin girls of chamba district himachal pradesh
Singal, P.; Bhatnagar, D.P.; Kaur, H.
Indian Journal of Physical Anthropology and Human Genetics 16(1-2): 49-62
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0378-8156 Document Number: 264518
In the present study, changes in somatotypes of Rajput and Brahmin girls of Chamba district (Himachal Pradesh) between 5 to 16 years of age were investigated. The subjects live at a moderate altitude of about 3000 ft. above sea level. Anthropometric data on 248 female subjects (129 Rajputs and 119 Brahmins) were collected during the month of March, 1987. Each subject was somatotyped using the Heath and Carter Anthropometric method. All anthropometric measurements have shown a general tendency towards increase with the adolescent spurt occurring between 12 to 13 years in both castes. In Rajput girls the somatotype rating has changed from endomorphic-mesomorph at 5 years to ectomorphic-endomorph at 16 years of age. In Brahmin girls the somatotype in most of the age groups is ectomorphic-endomorph except age 6, 13 and 14 years in which the somatotype is mesomorphic-endomorph. The Rajput girls of Chamba are heavier, taller, with broad shoulders and with a larger value of skinfolds as compared to Rajput girls of Kulu and Mana Valley; and are closer to Punjabi girls living in the plains.