Somatotype Variations in a High-Altitude Environment: a Cross-Sectional Study among Young Himalayan Populations in Ladakh, India

Abhijit Bhuin
Department of Anthropology & Tribal Studies, Public Health Nutrition Research Unit, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India.
Shivanshi Nehria
Department of Anthropology, Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh, Ladakh, India.
Diskit Wangmo
Department of Anthropology, Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh, Ladakh, India.
Kalyan Prasad Mahato
Department of Anthropology & Tribal Studies, Public Health Nutrition Research Unit, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India.
Samiran Bisai
Department of Anthropology & Tribal Studies, Public Health Nutrition Research Unit, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India.

Publicado 17-08-2026

Palabras clave

  • Somatotipo,
  • Endomorfia,
  • Mesomorfia,
  • Ectomorfia,
  • Gran altitud

Cómo citar

Bhuin, A., Nehria, S., Wangmo, D., Mahato, K. P., & Bisai, S. (2026). Somatotype Variations in a High-Altitude Environment: a Cross-Sectional Study among Young Himalayan Populations in Ladakh, India. La Revista Internacional De Cineantropometría, 6(2), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2623

Dimensions

Resumen

Introducción: La somatotipia es un método estándar utilizado a nivel mundial que proporciona una representación morfológica cuantitativa de un individuo. Esta técnica se emplea ampliamente para comprender la variación biológica humana y realizar comparaciones significativas del físico humano entre diferentes grupos étnicos, sexos y grupos de edad. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal entre habitantes nativos de zonas de gran altitud residentes en Leh, Ladakh (India). Todas las mediciones antropométricas requeridas fueron realizadas por un antropometrista capacitado. La evaluación del somatotipo se efectuó utilizando los métodos estándar de Heath y Carter. Resultados: En este estudio, el somatotipo promedio de la población analizada (tanto hombres como mujeres) fue 3,5-2,7-3,2. Los datos revelaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en endomorfia (χ² = 15,43; p < 0,001) y ectomorfia (χ² = 7,94; p < 0,05), pero no en mesomorfia, entre las distintas categorías de edad. Las mujeres presentaron una endomorfia relativamente mayor, mientras que la ectomorfia promedio fue más alta entre los participantes masculinos. Se identificaron un total de 13 categorías de somatotipo; la mayoría de los participantes se clasificaron como ectomorfos equilibrados (13,30 %), seguidos por los endomorfos ectomórficos (12,0 %) y los endomorfos mesomórficos (12,0 %). La presencia de todas las categorías de somatotipo indica diversidad somatotípica en la población estudiada. Una gran parte de la muestra presentó categorías relativas bajas y moderadas para los tres componentes. Conclusión: El presente estudio destaca la diversidad de los componentes del somatotipo entre adolescentes y adultos jóvenes de Ladakh residentes en zonas de gran altitud; esto ayudará a los investigadores a comprender los patrones de somatotipo y la variación biológica humana durante la adolescencia y el inicio de la edad adulta en entornos de gran altitud.

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