Estimation of stature from foot dimensions: A comparative study between Hausas and Yorubas in Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Anthropometry is the measurement of variables such as foot height, length and width of human body. The current study was conducted to estimate stature from foot dimensions among Hausas and Yorubas of Faculty of Basic Medical Science in Bayero University, Kano. The objectives were to obtain height and foot dimensions; determine sexual dimorphism, correlation and to estimate stature. The materials used were stadiometer and a digital vernier caliper. Sampling was done randomly. The sample size was 400 subjects (200 Hausas and 200 Yorubas). Statistical significance was deemed acceptable at p<0.05. It was observed that all the variables have significant sexual dimorphism. Among the Hausas, all the variables correlated strongly with each other except for BMI and all foot dimensions. There was a weak negative correlation that is statistically significant between BMI and height. Among the Yorubas, weight, height and BMI correlated strongly with one another, and also all foot dimensions correlated strongly with weight and height except LFB and weight where there was a weak positive correlation that is statistically significant. There was a weak positive correlation that is statistically significant between RFB and BMI while LFB and BMI correlate strongly with each other. Both foot lengths do not correlate with BMI. A significant relationship was found between the selected forensic parameters and the foot dimensions among Hausas and Yorubas of Faculty of Basic Medical Science in Bayero University, Kano.