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The anthropometric determination of body composition among the Peruvian Cashinahua
Author(s) -
Johnston Francis E.,
Gindhart Patricia S.,
Jantz Richard L.,
Kensinger Kenneth M.,
Walker Geoffrey F.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330340310
Subject(s) - anthropometry , composition (language) , population , caloric intake , adaptation (eye) , skinfold thickness , body weight , biology , demography , geography , archaeology , endocrinology , philosophy , linguistics , neuroscience , sociology
The morphology and body composition of the Peruvian Cashinahua, a small unacculturated rain forest population numbering 206, has been analyzed. Measurements involve anthropometry, including skinfolds, and endosteal and periosteal breadths of the second metacarpals, taken from 135 handwrist radiographs. The analysis indicates that the Cashinahua are short and relatively heavy at all ages, and are morphologically similar to other comparable populations. The relatively high skinfolds suggest an adequate caloric intake and, when considered along with other studies, lead to the conclusion that these marginal, unacculturated farming groups are in a satisfactory state of nutritional adaptation. Increased contacts with outsiders may very well upset this balance, however.