ANTHROPOMETRIC COMPARISM OF CEPHALIC INDICES BETWEEN YORUBA AND BENIN ETHNIC GROUPS RESIDING IN OKADA TOWN, EDO STATE

Project Abstract

Anthropometry is a fundamental tool in physical anthropology, providing insights into human biological variations. This study aimed to compare cephalic indices between the Yoruba and Benin ethnic groups residing in Okada town, Edo State. Cephalic index is a ratio obtained by multiplying the maximum width of the head by 100 and dividing it by the maximum length of the head. The study sample consisted of 200 individuals (100 Yoruba and 100 Benin) aged between 18 and 60 years. Measurements were taken using standard anthropometric techniques. The results revealed significant differences in cephalic indices between the two ethnic groups. The Yoruba group had a mean cephalic index of X.XX, while the Benin group had a mean cephalic index of X.XX. These findings suggest distinct cranial morphologies between the Yoruba and Benin populations in Okada town. Further studies incorporating larger sample sizes and additional anthropometric parameters are recommended to deepen the understanding of cranial variations among different ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>Anthropometry deals with the measurement of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/ethnic-militias-nationalism-nigeria-comparative/">physical sizes and shapes</a>&nbsp;of human body (D. Poswillo, 1963). In <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/framing-broadcasts-indigenous/">differentiating people</a>&nbsp;of different ethnic backgrounds, nutritional status, and gender, according to G. V. Shah and H. R. Jahhav, 2004, anthropometric data seems to be useful. <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/quality-acceptability-microbial-2/">Several measurable anthropometric</a>&nbsp;parameters or variables have been developed over the years for establishing possible differences amongst different groups (G. V. Shah and H. R. Jahhav., 2004).</p><p>According to G. V. Shah and H. R. Jahhav (2004), S. W. Lobo, T. S. Chandrashekhar, and S. Kumar (2005), M.J.Golalipour (2006), Cephalic index is one of such very useful measurable anthropometric variables used in physical anthropology to determine geographical gender, age, and racial and ethnic variations. They proved that comparison of changes in cephalic index between parents, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/solid-waste-management/">offspring, and siblings</a>&nbsp;gives clues to genetic transmission of inherited characters or traits which play a role in forensic science. Argyropoulos and Sassouni(1989) showed that morphological features of different races and ethnic groups are not randomly distributed but appear in geographic clusters. Arguably, Cephalometry continues to be the most versatile technique in the investigation of the<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/phosphorus-grain-yield/">&nbsp;craniofacial skeleton</a>&nbsp;because of its validity and practicality (G. T. McIntyre and P. A. Mossey, 2003). Cephalometry is associated with the morphological study of all the structures present in the human head. Cephalometry is the scientific measurement of the dimensions of the head usually through the use of standardized lateral skull radiographs (I. EI-Feghi et al, 2004). Based on the above factors, anthropometric studies are <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/religious-conflicts-nigeria-solutions/">conducted on the age, sex</a>, and social or ethnic groups in certain geographical zones (G. V. Shah and H. R. Jahhav, [2004], P. Williams et al, [2003], M.J.Golalipour et al, [2003], M.J.Golalipour et al, [2005], B. C. Didia and D. V. Dapper, [2005], S. H. Garba, [2008], H. B. Fawehinmi and A. M. Eroje, [2009], O. Joy et al, [2009], G. S. Oladipo et al, [2009], G. S. Oladipo et al, [2013]). Several studies have been conducted on the age,sex,and racial or ethnic groups in <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/breed-age-sex-growth-haematological-serum/">different geographical zones (O. Joy et al, [2009]</a>, G. S. Oladipo et al, [2009], G. S. Oladipo et al, [2013], I. P. Singh and N. K. Bharin, [1968], E. A. Osunwoke et al, [2012]).These authors have sited various categories of cranium on the basis of head length, breadth, and index and described seven groups of crania. R. F. Okupe et al. (1984), in a comparative study of bi parietal diameter (BPD) fetuses of some of the Nigerian ethnic groups and Caucasians, showed statistically significant differences until near term when the Nigerian fetuses showed <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/cultural-analysis-security-ethnic/">consistently longer BPD</a>. Cussenot et al. (1990) reported that skeletal measurements were made as the basis of foetal anthropometry and age determination. In a related study, cephalic index varied with advancing gestational age with the highest and lowest being 81.5 and 78.0 at weeks 14 and 28, respectively (D. L. Gray, 1989).</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/investigation-influence-prevalence-poultry/">Several studies</a>&nbsp;have been carried out to classify head shapes based on cephalic index into four internationally acceptable categories that include dolicocephalic (&lt;74.9), mesocephalic (75–79.9), brachycephalic (80.0–84.9), and hyperbrachycephalic (85.0–89.9) (P. Williams et al, [2003], M. Del Sol, [2005]). A study has shown that the people of Gurung community of Nepal of India are brachycephalic with cephalic index of 80.42 (G. V. Shah and H. R. Jahhav 2004). Bhils and Barelas are mesocephalic (76.98 &amp; 79.80) (I. Bhargava and G. A. Kher, [1960], I. Bhargava and G. A. Kher[1961]). The Iranian people are predominantly <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/impact-nigerian-national-theater-vehicle/">brachycephalic and hyper brachycephalic</a>&nbsp;(M.J.Golalipour, 2006). Besides being a <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.modishproject.com/language-culture-tool/">predictor of fetal death</a>, early trans-vaginal measurement of cephalic index had been used for the determination of Down syndrome foetuses (P. Rosati and L. Guariglia 1999). The first classification based on cranial morphology is attributed to the professor of anatomy Anders Retzius (1840).</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <br><p></p>