The association between somatotype and nutritional status: a cross-sectional study among the adult Sabar males of Purulia, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Somatotype is the parameter used to determine the body composition, which is influenced by several factors and nutrition is the crucial one. This study aimed to determine somatotype and nutritional status as well as investigate the somatotype variations in relation to the age and nutritional status among the adult males of Sabar community living in Purulia district of West Bengal, India. The present cross-sectional study included 334 Sabar males aged between 18 to 60 years. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, 2 breadths, 2 circumferences and 4 skinfolds were taken following standard protocol. Somatotype was determined following the Heath-Carter method and Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to access the level of nutrition. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Pearson correlation, Spearman correlation and Chi-square test were performed to find out variation, correlation and association of the somatype components with age and nutritional categories. Prior ethical clearance had been obtained. As a result, the trend of undernutrition was gradually increasing with age and found highest among aged people (50–60 years) with an overall prevalence of 49.7%. Eleven different somatotype subgroups were identified. The mean somatotype of the participants was 2.3–3.6-3.9 which indicates mesomorph-ectomorph body type. Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed significant differences among somatotype components in different nutritional categories. Undernutrition was found highest among the mesomorphic ectomorph (62.7%) type. Chi-square test stated significant association between somatotype categories and nutritional statuses (Chi-square = 283.160, p < 0.01). This is the first reporting on the somatotype study among the Sabar community, where the dominant body type was found mesomorph-ectomorph. A highly significant correlation was found between somatotype and BMI. At the same time, this study expressed the need for immediate nutritional intervention.

Body physique and nutritional status of Naga wrestlers: A case study of the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland, India

“…Further, participants in this study were mostly cultivators and daily wagers, and perhaps, the dominance of mesomorphy is justified due to the physical built demand in such laborious occupations. Similar impact of the use of primitive agricultural technology and involvement in daily wage works on higher mesomorphy ratings were reported among the Sabars [20] and the Santhals [21] of West Bengal. The prevalence of obesity among the wrestlers is outrageously higher than the non-wrestlers.…”

Analysis of somatotype profile of Tarung Derajat arts: A comprative study between movement and combat arts categories

“…In futsal and basketball athletes there is a significant relationship with somatotype mesomorph [39]. Another opinion states that adult men in Purulia, West Bengal, India, the dominant body type is found to be mesomorphectomorph [40]. Somatotype research results The balanced mesomorphic characteristic of international standup rowers is that low skin folds and high arm muscle mass can represent key factors for performance in this sport because of their relationship with acceleration and stroke force [41], soccer players.…”