Climatic Influence on Morpho-Physiology in Females of Himachal Pradesh

Cross sectional study was conducted among Brahmin and Rajput females of India to assess the climatic influence on body size and proportion by studying various morphological and physiological variables. Information regarding socio-economic status, physical activities, food habits, educational level, and general health of the people was collected using proforma, and personal interviews; anthropometric measurements which include height, body weight, skinfold thickness and circumferences at various sites were taken. Physiological parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, pulse rate, grip strength and dynamic lung functions using portable spirometer are also included. Various adiposity indices and relative measurements namely body mass index, grand mean thickness, robusticity index, waist hip ratio, trunk extremity ratio, waist stature ratio, relative sitting height and chest expansivity were calculated. Means of majority of morphological variables were higher among Rajput females compared to Brahmin females. Rajput females were found to be physically more active and consequently were leaner, had better muscular strength and lower blood pressure when compared with the counterpart.