A Comparison of Linear Anthropometric Body Features of the Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba Ethnic Groups of Southern Nigeria

Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate and comparethelinear anthropometric body features of the Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba, the three major ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria. The research design was a cross-sectional design. Methodology:The study made use of a total number of one thousand two hundred (1200) subjects divided into four hundred (400) subjects randomly selected from each of the Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw ethnic groups of southern Nigeria whose ages ranged between 21 to 40 years with BMI of 18.50 to 30.00.Due to bone density,subjects whose BMI fell within the category of overweight according to conventional BMI classification,looked apparently healthy and were included in the study.Determination ofminimum sample size was done using the Taro Yamane’s formula. BMI and linear body anthropometric measurements were taken using stadiometer, calibrated flexible meter tape, meter rule and weighing scale. Statistical analysis was done using statistical packagefor the social science (SPSS version 25.0) and Microsoft Excel 2019. Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD; minimum and maximum. Age was grouped into two categories (21 –30 and 31 –40) years. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also grouped into two; normal weight and slightly overweight. Independent sample t-test was thus carried out to determine significant difference in the measured anthropometric variables across age and BMI groups. Confidence interval was set at 95%, therefore p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results:Results were presented in charts and tables. Variations were observed across the different ethnic groups. Age related changes and variations in BMI were also observed in the anthropometricparameters studied. On comparison with other racial populations, certain parameters were close while most showedmarked variation which underscores racial variation. Though certain degree of variation was observed across the three negroidethnic groups, it is not adequate to subcategorise these Southern Nigerian ethnic groups. Conclusion:These anthropometric values not only provide a description of the standardlinear anthropometric body features of southern Nigeria but could find use in anthropological and medical studies, standardization of anatomical models as well as in the design of products to fit this negroid population

Dietary Changes After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Associations with Physical Activity, Anthropometry, and Health-related Quality of life Among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine levels of physical activity, anthropometric features, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean breast cancer survivors who reported changes in their diet after diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 380 women who had been diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer and had breast cancer surgery at least six months before the interview were included. Participants provided information on dietary change after diagnosis, post-diagnostic diet, physical activity, anthropometric measures, and HRQoL through face-to-face interview. We assessed HRQoL levels of breast cancer survivors using a validated Korean version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer Module (BR23). We used the logistic regression and generalized linear models to identify the associations of dietary changes in relation with physical activity, anthropometry, and HRQoL. RESULTS: The majority of participants (72.6%) reported that they have changed their diet to a healthier diet after diagnosis. Breast cancer survivors who reported to have change to a healthy diet had higher intakes of vegetables and fruits and lower intakes of red and processed meats, and refined grains than those who did not. Also, survivors with a healthy change in their diet were more likely to engage in physical activity (top vs. bottom tertile: odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-3.36) and have lower body mass index (BMI) (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98 for one kg/m² increment in BMI) compared to those who did not. We found that a healthy change in diet was associated with higher scores of physical functioning (p=0.02) and lower scores of constipation (p=0.04) and diarrhea (p=0.006) compared to those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy changes in diet after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with lower levels of BMI, and higher levels of physical activity and HRQoL.

A preliminary study to find out maximum occlusal bite force in Indian individuals.

Purpose: This preliminary hospital based study was designed to measure the mean maximum bite force (MMBF) in healthy Indian individuals. An attempt was made to correlate MMBF with body mass index (BMI) and some of the anthropometric features. Methodology: A total of 358 healthy subjects in the age range of 18-47 years (mean age = 26.66 ± 6.83) were selected following the selection criteria. Demographic details along with general physical and facial parameters such as height, weight, facial form, facial profile, arch form, and palatal contour were recorded in a predesigned proforma. The maximum bite force was recorded on both (right and left) sides using a specially designed piezoelectric transducer based device. Results: The MMBF in Indian individuals was found to be 372.39 ± 175.93 Newton (N). Males had significantly higher (P = 0.000) MMBF (448.47 ± 191.82 N) as compared to females (296.31 ± 116.79 N). Facial form (P = 0.001) and palatal contour (P = 0.000) showed a significant relationship with MMBF. Subjects having square facial form (421.34 ± 187.32 N) showed significantly higher MMBF as compared to other facial forms, that is, square tapered (358.86 ± 143.56 N; P = 0.038), ovoid (338.40 ± 163.02 N; P = 0.000) and tapered (349.22 ± 184.82 N; P = 0.028). Subjects with flat palatal contour showed significantly higher MMBF when compared to high (P = 0.002) and medium palatal (P = 0.002) contour. Though facial profile was not significantly related to MMBF, it was significantly higher in subjects having concave facial profile when compared to convex (P = 0.045) and straight (P = 0.039) facial profile. BMI and arch form showed no significant relationship with MMBF. Conclusion: The MMBF is found to be affected by gender and some of the anthropometric features like facial form and palatal contour.