Assessing intergenerational differences in anthro-physiological variables: case study of a tribal population

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate relations between parental and filial generations in morphological characteristics of Santhals. For this purpose, a cross-sectional sample of 400 Fathers, 400 Mothers, 292 Sons and 170 Daughters were examined and measured. Data were collected from number villages of Ranibandh block of Bankura district of West Bengal, using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Both Santhal Sons and Daughters have great affinity with their Fathers and Mothers. Significantly higher mean values of Stature and other linear body measurements in Sons and Daughters, as compared to their Fathers and Mothers respectively might indicate a positive secular trend. Sex differences are evident in most of the body measurements. In terms of body physique Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters are predominantly Mesomorphic. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure show slightly higher values in parental generation than in filial generation.