Body proportions in three Nigerian tribes
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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2024
E C Azinge1, M Mabayoje, L C Ward
1University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Prediction equations of body composition based on measurements of whole-body bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have been found to be population-specific. It was hypothesised that this may be, in part, due to differences in proportional limb lengths between ethnic or racial groups. As a preliminary to a survey of body composition in urban Nigerians using BIA, the relative limb lengths of the three major tribal groups (Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo) were determined. We found small (5-9%) but significantly longer limb lengths in Nigerians compared to a Caucasian population, but no significant differences between tribes. This implies that BIA prediction equations generated in a Caucasian population are inappropriate for use in a Nigerian population.
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