Somatotypological structure of university students in the sex groups of equal body heights.

Among the numerous publications on sexual dimorphism as affected by body build, few deal with the somatotype of men and women of the same height. The aim of the study was to determine the share of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy among men and women in different height categories and to determine whether the size of individual components differs between the sexes within the same height category. The research was carried out over the period of 2005-2015 on a cohort of 1,911 individuals, 625 men and 1,286 women, aged 18-25. Somatic measurements were performed according to the currently accepted technique as described by Martin and Saller. Using the results and the Heath-Carter method, the shares of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy were calculated. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess the relation between sex, individual height category and endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. Relationships between endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy and height were estimated using Pearson correlation and linear regression. In women's body build, regardless of body height, endomorphy prevails, with smaller shares of ectomorphy and mesomorphy while in men's body build mesomorphy and ectomorphy dominate. The analysis of forecasts (using linear regression equations) confirms that mesomorphy and endomorphy decrease in men and women as their height increases. The findings will be used to analyse secular changes in the evolution of male and female body build type over a longer period - which will show increasing or fading dimorphic differences.

Dimorphic differences in selected somatic parameters in students of equal height.

This paper's aim was to describe dimorphic differences in selected somatic traits in adults of equal height. The research was based on anthropometric measurements which were taken over in 2005-2015 on a 1,911-strong cohort, 625 men and 1,286 women, aged 18-25, all of them students at the University of Zielona Góra. They were divided into 10 height groups (two-centimeter compartments), ranging from 162.1 cm to 182.0 cm. The following somatic traits were measured: height, body mass, trunk length, lengths of lower and upper extremities, hip width, shoulder width, chest width, and chest depth. The research led to the following conclusions: 1. The biggest morphological differences were found between the shortest students; with height the differences became ever less pronounced. 2. Sexual dimorphism was most pronounced in body mass, shoulder width, and chest depth (which were greater in men), and hip width (greater in women). With regard to the other somatic traits, the picture of differences was rather patchy and showed not very distinct sexual dimorphism. 3. All mean somatic parameters increased with height in both sexes. This was most visible in body mass and the lengths of upper and lower extremities, and less visible in trunk length and chest width.

Prevalence of smoking and BMI differences between smokers and non-smokers among children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in south-east Poland.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among children and adolescents aged 7-18 years, and also to determine the relationship between this addiction and the Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: Basic anthropometric measurements were performed, and information concerning cigarette smoking and basic SES was gathered using the questionnaire method. Results: More than 5% of boys admit to smoking at the age of 10-11 years, and as many as 22% 18-year-olds admit to doing so. With regard to girls, the situation is slightly better because it is only among 14-year-olds that the percentage of smokers exceeds 5%. Smoking may affect average BMIs. Smoking had a negative impact on the magnitude of physical development indices among children between 8 and 12 years old. Conclusions: The percentage of smokers increases with age. Boys smoke more often than girls. Tobacco smoking in middle childhood (8-12 years) is associated with lower BMIs.

Sexual dimorphism in physical education students of equal body height.

ABSTRACT: The aim: This paper's aim is to assess the level of development and size of particular body parts and dimorphic differences with regard to body height. Methods: The research was carried out over the period of 1995-2010 on a 1,969-strong cohort of first-year students of physical education, aged 19-21. The following somatic features were measured: body height and weight, breadth of distal femoral epiphysis, breadth of distal brachial epiphysis, four skinfolds, arm circumference, and calf circumference. Using the results, the shares of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy were calculated as well as the mean values of particular features and their supplemental values and regression equations. Results: With regard to height, the women students exhibit higher share of endomorphy than do the men students who, in turn, are characterised by a higher share of mesomorphy, the differences being statistically significant. The women also exhibit a higher share of ectomorphy, with differences statistically significant. The regression equation shows that the share of endomorphy decreases with height in the case of both sexes. Conclusions: The men students' body build is dominated by mesomorphy and endomorphy, while the women students' - by endomorphy. Sexual dimorphism is best seen in the mesomorphic build.