Abstract:

Objective To investigate the somatotype characteristics of rural Tujia adults in Hu’nan. Methods The Heath-Carter somatotyping method was used to study the somatotype of 976 adults (528 males and 448 females) of Tujia in the rural areas of Hu’nan. Results The mean somatotype in males of Tujia was endomorphic mesomorph category (3.43-5.35-1.61) and was endomorph-mesomorph category (5.18-5.38-1.01) in females.With their age increasing, the values of endomorphy and mesomorphy increased at first and then gradually decreased both males and females, and the values of ectomorphy decreased at first and then increased. The values of endomorphy of males in all age groups were significantly lower than those of females with the same ages, the values of mesomorphy of males showed no significant difference compared with those of females, and the values of ectomorphy of males were significantly higher than those of females in most age groups with the same ages. Conclusion Tujia adults have a strong physique and developed skeleton muscles, male body is relatively slender, and female subcutaneous fat is more developed and buxom.The somatotype of Tujia adults have a higher mesomorphy, a lower endomorphy and ectomorphy among 30 rural ethnic groups, which are close to those of Muya and Ersu.

Key words: Hu’nan, Rural, Tujia, Somatotype, Heath-Carter method, Adult