Source of Data: A cross-sectional sample of 200 tribals (100 males and 100 females) between the age group of 20-30 years from Kasargod District of Northern Kerala who are culturally and linguistically similar.

Method of Collection of Data: The study was conducted in community halls nearby the tribal colonies. The objectives and the methods of the study were explained to the sample population, and informed consent was obtained by taking their signatures or thumb impression. All the measurements were taken in a reasonably well lit room, at a fixed time between 3 pm and 5.30 pm to eliminate diurnal variation. It was measured and recorded only by one of the authors, to avoid inter-observer error in methodology.

Land marks and technique involved in taking anthropometric measurements [2]:

Inclusion Criteria: Apparently healthy, asymptomatic males and females of age group 20-30 years.

The data were subjected to statistical analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-20).

The following observations were tabulated after statistical evaluation of the o bservations recorded in the study. The age of study population ranged between 20 and 30 years for both males and females. [Table/Fig-1] shows the distribution of age in the study population. The mean age of females was 25.4 years and that of males was 25.9 years.

[Table/Fig-2] shows descriptive statistics for the various parameters studied in males. The average stature of males was 157.9±6.4 cm and ranged between 142.5 cm to 176 cm. The hand lengths measured 182 mm (approx) and hand breadth measured approximately 83 mm. Similarly foot lengths and foot breadths approximately measured 245 and 95 mm respectively.

[Table/Fig-3] shows descriptive statistics for the various parameters studied in females. The average stature of females was 148.7± 7.5cm and ranged between 136cm to 169cm. The hand lengths measured 169 mm (approx) and hand breadth measured approximately 75mm. Similarly foot lengths and foot breadths approximately measured 226mm and 87mm respectively.

To assess the statistical differences between the observations of right and left sides, in males and females, paired sample t-test was performed. Statistical analysis indicated that the bilateral variations were statistically insignificant for all the measurements except foot breadth among females which was found statistically significant (p<0.01) [Table/Fig-4].

The comparison of respective readings of various parameters studied shows that all parameters have higher values in males than in females. Statistical differences between male and female observations were assessed by performing paired sample t-test. The results of t-test, as shown in [Table/Fig-5], indicates that the differences between males and females were statistically highly significant (p<0.01). [Table/Fig-6] shows correlation between the stature of individual and various parameters studied. All the parameters exhibit statistically highly significant (p <0.001) positive correlation with the stature except female foot breadth.

Correlation co-efficient of the length measurements is higher than that of breadth measurements. It is also observed that in males the highest correlation is exhibited by right foot length (r=0.554) and the lowest by right hand breadth (r=0.388). In females highest correlation co-efficient is exhibited by right hand length and left hand length (r=0.949). Regression analysis of the observations was performed separately for each sex, as statistically significant differences were observed between these two groups, and also for each parameter studied.

Linear regression equations obtained for various parameters studied in males were as follows:-

Stature = 106.306 + .283 x hand length ± 5.668

Stature = 117.798 + .481 x hand breadth ± 5.95

Stature = 98.51 +.242 x foot length ±5.375

Stature = 129.459 +.298 x foot breadth ± 5.888

The equations also exhibit standard error of estimate (SEE). The SEE predicts the deviations of estimated stature from the actual stature. It ranges between ± 5.375 to ±5.95. A low value indicates greater reliability in the estimated stature. Foot length exhibits a lower value in males and giv es better reliability in prediction of stature.

Multiple regression equations for various parameters studied in males were as follows:-

Stature = 91.347 + .117 x hand length + .185 x foot length ± 5.31

Stature = 92.878 + .203 x foot length + .161 x foot breadth ± 5.23

Stature = 101.026+ 0.23x hand length + 0.180x hand breadth ± 5.64

Stature = 85.860 + .186 x foot length + .109 x foot breadth +0.018 x hand length + .167 x hand breadth ± 5.24

It was observed that the multiple regression equations reveal slightly lower values of SEE (±5.23 to ±5.64).

Linear Regression equations for various parameters studied in females were as follows:

Stature = 1.454 + .871 x hand length ± 2.394

Stature = 140.696 + .104 x hand breadth ± 7.51

Stature = 81.978 +.294 x foot length ± 6.91

Stature =133.035+.180 x foot breadth ± 7.54

The SEE ranges between ± 2.394 to ±7.54. Hand length exhibits a lower value in females and gives better reliability in prediction of stature.

Multiple regression equations for various parameters in females are as follows:

Stature = -6.296 + .053 x foot length + 0.845 x hand length ± 2.34

Stature = 42.490 + 0.889 x hand length – 0.053 x hand breadth ± 2.33

Stature = - 6.616 + 0.046 x foot length + 0.033 x foot breadth + 0.863 x hand length – 0.051 x hand breadth ± 2.29

The results of the present study show that the dimensions of the hands and feet show statistically significant positive correlation with stature of an individual. The presence of a positive linearity between the study variables and the stature facilitates formulation of regression equations which can be successfully utilized for stature estimation in tribal population.

The present study is unique in its sample selection. The sample was drawn from the tribal population of Kasargod district of Kerala state. Tribals are known to be socially, environmentally, culturally and even genetically secluded communities. While literature abounds with forensic anthropological studies of estimating stature with hand and foot dimensions, very few studies have selected a homogenous group as study population [11,12,19]. Due to strong influence of genetic and environmental factors on the height of the individual, homogenecity of the study population is vital in formulating the regression equations.

In the present study males showed higher mean values in all the parameters studied than among females the difference being statistically highly significant. The difference in values of correlation co-efficients of males and females for estimation of stature from hand length was remarkable in the present study (0.47 in males and 0.96 in females). Female hand length showed statically significant highly positive correlation to stature. Similar Indian studies conducted on homogeneous population groups reveal no appreciable gender difference [11,12,19]. The reason for the difference in the present study is a topic of further investigation and analysis.

There is paucity of workers who have considered hand and foot breadth for stature estimation. The correlation co-efficient obtained for these parameters for both the genders, in the present study are slightly lower but comparable to other studies. The observations of the present study suggest that these parameters can be utilized to formulate equations to predict stature.

These findings of the present study may be used to predict stature: 1) in cases when whole length of hand and foot are not available for investigation (e.g. in mutilated body parts in mass disasters). The data obtained in the present study can be used to obtain certain population specific anthropometric indices amongst the tribal population. The data and subsequently the results obtained in the present study, to the best of the knowledge of the author, is the first ever documented anthropological work on the tribals of Kasargod.