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Brachycephalization in Japan has ceased.

M Kouchi¹

¹Human-Environment System Department, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan. kouchi@nibh.go.jp

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

|June 22, 2000

Summary

Secular changes in Japanese somatometric data indicate that rapid brachycephalization has stopped. This trend, linked to increased head breadth and height, may stem from improved nutrition, unlike European populations.

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Area of Science:

Anthropology
Human Biology
Genetics

Background:

Brachycephalization, a trend of increasing head breadth, has been observed in Japan.
Secular changes in somatometric data, including height, are influenced by environmental and genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the cessation of brachycephalization in Japan.
To explore the relationship between brachycephalization, secular changes in height, and potential causative factors.

Main Methods:

Analysis of somatometric data, including head breadth and height, over time.
Statistical examination using partial correlation coefficients.
Comparison of student populations with the general population.

Main Results:

The rapid brachycephalization trend in Japan has recently ceased.
Increases in head breadth, a primary driver of brachycephalization, mirrored secular changes in height.
Nutritional improvements are hypothesized to drive increased head breadth growth, similar to height increases.

Conclusions:

Cessation of brachycephalization in Japan suggests a potential shift in growth patterns.
Brachycephalization in East Asians contrasts with debrachycephalization observed in many European populations.
Lateral head growth in Asians may be associated with characteristic facial flatness.

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