Abstract: Objective To analyze the somatotype of the adult of Han nationality of Huaian in Jiangsu. Methods The Heath-Carter somatotyping method was used to study the somatotype of 311 urban adults (157 males and 154 females) and 421 rural adults (213 males and 208 females) of Han in Huaian of Jiangsu province. Results 1. The mean somatotype for urban male was 5.3-5.1-1.5, for rural male 5.1-5.0-1.8. The mean somatotype for urban female was 6.3-4.6-1.4,for rural female 6.5-4.7-1.5. 2. The mean somatotype values of the urban and rural male represented the endomorph-mesomorph category. The mean somatotype values of the urban and rural female represented mesomorphic endomorph category. 3. With their age increasing, the values of endomorphy and the values of mesomorphy increased and decreased in sequence, while the values of ectomorphy decreased in males. The values of mesomorphy and the values of endomorphy increased, while the values of ectomorphy decreased in females. 4. There was significant decrease in males.The values of endomorphy mesomorphy increased, while the values of ectomorphy decreased in differences in the somatotypes between urban and rural samples in the same sex and age group, and Han adults of Shandong showed most significant differences between males and females. 5. The somatotype of Jiangsu adults was close to those of Han(Shandong) and Han(Sichuan). 6. The somatotype of Han of rural adults was close to those of Mongol, and it was stand off those of Zhuang nationality and Gelao. Conclusion The somatotype of Han adults in Jiangsu is close to north ethnic.

Key words: Somatotype, Huaian, Jiangsu, Heath-Carter method, Anthropometry, Han