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5. Variability of sexual dimorphism of main anthropometric dimensions of newborns in connection with the degree of urbanization

Variability of sexual dimorphism of main anthropometric dimensions of newborns in connection with the degree of urbanization

Fedotova T.K., Gorbacheva A.K.

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

Fedotova Tatiana K, PhD., D.Sc.; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7750-7924; tatiana.fedotova@mail.ru; Gorbacheva Anna K., PhD.; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5201-7128; angoria@yandex.ru.

Abstract

Introduction. The urgency of gender problems in modern society and the significance of sex as the most important factor of adaptation are under discussion. Material and methods. The study embraces big volume of literary data – over 120 samples of newborns of each sex from former USSR of 1960s, including main anthropometric dimensions (height, weight, chest and head girths). The quantitative estimation of the level of sexual dimorphism (SeD) is accomplished using Kullback divergence – analogue of the Mahalanobis distance. The parameter of quantity of population of the residence place, associated with the income level, nutrition status and frequency of socially significant diseases, is used as the marker of the degree of urbanization. Results. The level of Sed of newborn infants has modest fluctuations and for most somatic traits has average meaning about 0,3 standard deviations, independently of the degree of urbanization of the residence place of territorial/ethnic groups. Still the living standards in big millionaire cities are favorable to the progress (improvement) of physical status of male infants – increase of head girth in Moscow megalopolis, increase of height/weight dimensions of both Russian and aboriginal newborns in Tashkent – which promotes some increase of Sed of somatic traits as well. Conclusion. Somatic dimensions of newborns are the classic object of stabilizing selection, hence have very moderate variability. In this context, quantitative meaning of SeD of body dimensions is also relatively stable.

Keywords

human biology; auxology; sexual dimorphism; height, weight and girths; spatial variability; ethnic differences

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2021.2.021-034

Цит.: Fedotova T.K., Gorbacheva A.K. Variability of sexual dimorphism of main anthropometric dimensions of newborns in connection with the degree of urbanization // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2021; 2/2021; с. 21-34