Health Status in terms of Muscularity and Somatotype of Indigenous Santals of India

Abstract

Introduction: The Santals are the largest Indigenous population of India and Bangladesh. They are Austroasiatic-speaking Munda ethnic Aborigine group. Most of the Santals live in Villages with poor Socio-economic status. Intake of food especially balance diet is absent in poor Santal familes of remote village areas of India due to poverty. Thus, less intake of proper nutrient, results impaired development of skeletal muscles along with body shape and size. Thus, the aim of the present study was to find out the muscularity and Somatotype characteristics. Methods: 74 females and 82 males were studied for their physical characteristics and Somatotype. Different components like Endomorph, Mesomorph and Ectomorph components were noted. Economic status of the family were was also noted according to Indian categories of Socio-economic status. Somatype characteriwas were observed for both male and female Santals. Results: An average somatotype of 2.2(±0.9)-3.0(±0.7)-2.9(±0.6) for males and 3.6(±1.1)-3.3(±0.4)-2.7(±0.8) for Females were observed. The average Muscularity or both male and Female Santals were in Low Relative Category. The Low muscularity might be due to poor nutrition besides other Pathophysiological factors. Conclusion: The health status of the indigenous Santal population in India was not well which was also reflected in their poor body shape and size beside Muscularity.