Living conditions and growth of maya indian and non-maya boys from yucatan in 1993 in comparison with other studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the biological status and living conditions of boys inhabiting the northern part of Merida. Studies were conduoted in summer 1993, in several secondary schools in the northern part of the Merida, capitol of Yucatan, Mexico. The material consisted of biological measurements of 497 boys aged from 12 to 17 years. Also parents of these children were interviewed. Mothers (497) aged from 28 to 60 years (40 on the average) and fathers (495) aged from 30 to 62 years. Values of biological characteristics were calculated for the whole material, and also separately for the families in which both parents were Maya Indians, Non-Mayas and mixed. The differences between Mixed and Non-Mayas were distinct in stature, trunk length, upper extremity length, head length, head circumference, hips breadth index, cephalic and frontal indices, thus, mainly in body size and the head and face form. Differences between Mayas and Non-Mayas were distinct in the most measures: direct measurements ofbody weight and height, trunk and both extremities length, shoulder breadth, head length, face and nose breadth, head, waist and hips circumferences (which did not show differences between two other groups as a direct measure) and triceps skinfold thickness. The differences were also found in some indices (cephalic, frontal and face) and this probably has a non-adaptive character. The difFerences in other body proportions, which could be rather easy adjustable in the meaning on ontogenetic development were not found. The constitutional differences were observed in stature, arm fatfold and hip breadth. Body proportions were under the strong influence of living conditions and this probably caused the lack of difFerences between 3 ethnic groups. The contemporary Maya boys in comparison with the Steggerda data (1941) were on average 10 cm taller, more plumb by 10 units of BMI, and had more rounded heads. Head, which is under a strong genetic control and has more conservative character showed differences between Maya and Mixed groups versus Non-Mayas.