Somatotype Characteristics of School Boys Aged Six to Eleven Years from Nepal

Abstract

Nine hundred and ninety seven school children of Nepal age ranged from 6 to 11 year were studied for their somatotype characteristics. Endomorphy-Mesomorphy-Ectomorphy components were calculated using Heath-Carter Somatotype method. Average Endomorphy components for 6,7,8,9,10, and 11 year old boys were 3.0 (±1.8), 3.3(±1.8), 3.1(±1.4), 2.7(±1.0), 3.0(±1.2) and 2.7(±0.7) respectively. Average mesomorphy components for 6,7,8,9,10,and 11 year old boys were 4.2(±0.6),4.2(±1.0),4.0(±1.1),3.8(±0.9),4.0(±0.8) and 3.7(±0.9) respectively. Average ectomorphy components for 6,7,8,9,10 and 11 year old boys were 2.3(±1.1), 2.3(±1.0), 2.5(±1.3), 2.8(±1.1), 2.9(±1.0) and 3.2(±1.3) respectively. Slightly higher adiposity was observed for the Nepali male children compared to their similar counterparts of other different countries. But muscularity and linearity characteristics of the Nepali boys were very similar to other countries. The body type gradually changed into balanced mesomorph at the age of 9 and 10 yr which again changed into ectomorphic mesomorph but very close to central at the age of 11 yr. The changes of body type from endomorphic mesomorph into balanced mesomorph and ultimately into ectomorphic mesomorph supported the trend of somatotype change with age.