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5. Ontogenesis rates and body size dynamics in children of rural Chuvashia from the 2nd half of XIX to the end of XX century

Ontogenesis rates and body size dynamics in children of rural Chuvashia from the 2nd half of XIX to the end of XX century

Batsevich V.A., Yasina O.V.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Batsevich Valery A., PhD; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3833-1588; batsevich53@mail.ru; Yasina Oksana V., ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9133-0440; okyasina@mail.ru.

Abstract

Introduction. Biological characteristics of modern humans are changing as populations adapt to new socio-economic conditions. Whether these changes are adaptable or not is still up to debate. How long it takes for new morphological characteristics to form and how stable they are in still changing social and ethnocultural environment is also not studied enough. In this paper, we present an analysis of the temporal and age dynamics of morphophysiological characteristics of Chuvashian children living in rural areas in the XIX and XX centuries. Materials and methods. Data on 658 children were collected in 2002 in Yadrin district of Chuvashia.2002 data on weight and height, and where possible on chest circumference and pelvic diameter, are compared with data published in 1886, 1930, 1946, 1962, 1966, 1982, 1999. Results and discussion. Retrospective analysis of height dynamics shows that growth rates are uneven during the studied time period. For 75 years up until the 1930s there were no changes in growth and maturation rates of children. 1962 and 1966 data demonstrate acceleration in rates of ontogenesis and increase in height. From 1982 to 2002 growth of height is slowing down as people approach the biological maximum of this characteristic. The intensity of height growth is the main factor determining changes of other longitudinal measurements and to a lesser degree weight change. Circumferences and diameters have different trajectories of development that are connected to ontogenesis rates. Conclusion. Available data on height confirms that increase in longitudinal measurements of Chuvashs fades and almost stops since the 1980s. Does it mean that acceleration stopped in rural Chuvashian populations due to stabilization of ecological situation? Or for some other reason? We believe that there’s still no answer.

Keywords

anthropology; anthropometry; body length; acceleration; rates of ontogenesis; Chuvash; children and adolescents

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2018.4.005-022

Цит.: Batsevich V.A., Yasina O.V. Ontogenesis rates and body size dynamics in children of rural Chuvashia from the 2nd half of XIX to the end of XX century // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2018; 4/2018; с. 5-22