Age, altitude and gender differences in body dimensions

Area of Science:

• Human biology
• Anthropology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Ageing processes vary across populations.
• Environmental factors like altitude can influence human physiology and physical traits.
• Understanding gender differences in ageing is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate ageing in high-altitude versus plains populations.
• To examine gender differences in physical and physiological traits during ageing.
• To compare anthropometric and physiological variables between two distinct environmental settings.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study of Rajput (high altitude) and Punjabi (plains) populations.
• Measurement of anthropometric variables (stature, weight, skinfolds, circumferences) and physiological variables (heart rate, blood pressure, grip strength).
• Calculation of Cormic Index (CI), Body Mass Index (BMI), and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR); ANOVA for intergroup variation.

Main Results:

• Significant gender differences observed in physiological and some anthropometric variables between high-altitude and plains groups.
• Age significantly influenced both structural and functional variables.
• Plains women were more overweight (BMI 23.9-26.8 kg/m2) than high-altitude women; high-altitude populations generally had normal weight.

Conclusions:

• Environmental conditions significantly impact the rate of ageing.
• Differential ageing rates observed across various dimensions, influenced by altitude and gender.
• High-altitude living may be associated with healthier weight profiles compared to plains populations.