Selected anthropometric measurements for a low-income, black population in Mississippi

Extract: Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, blood pressure, and pulse were taken for a low-income black population comprised of 400 people, aged 2-80 years. All measurements were affected by age and sex, generally increasing with age. Blood pressures and skinfold thickness were greater in female subjects and in the old than in male subjects or in the young. Male subjects were always taller than female subjects at a comparable age. Women weighed more than men in the 30-60 age group. This study shows that genetic and endocrine mechanisms may override environmental factors for selected anthropometric data. (author/cj).