Familial resemblance in height and weight in an endogamous Hahisya caste population of rural West Bengal

Abstract

Intrafamilial resemblance and heritability of height and weight in an endogamous, agricultural caste population of rural West Bengal ("Mahisya") were estimated from data for 540 individuals, 110 parent pairs and 187 sons and 133 daughters (children as well as adults) from 110 nuclear families. Multiple regression with age and sex adjustments was used. A trend of greater mother-child than father-child correlation was observed, but was not significant. Sibling correlations indicated no evidence of sex linkage. Heritability for height (h2 = 0.603) was greater than that for weight (h2 = .405). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:7-9 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.