Comparative Study of Upper Limb Anthropometry and Occupations in Women of Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abakaliki women generally identify in three major occupations, which are stone crushing, meat selling and market dealings. Every occupation plays a significant role in determining an individual’s level of physical activity, and this impacts their overall health. The aim of this study was to compare the upper limb anthropometry of women of various occupational groups: stone crushers, meat sellers and market women. For this research, 259 women, of age between 18 to 60 years, were recruited from the three different occupational groups. Their stature, body mass and upper limb anthropometry, which includes two arm skinfold thickness, arm and forearm girths of both upper limbs, humerus lower end breadth and wrist breadth were measured following the international standard procedures of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, (ISAK). Within the groups, right and left arm girths, right and left forearm girths, right and left biceps skinfold thickness (SKF), right and left triceps SKF, right humerus breadth and left wrist breadth varied significantly (P<0.05) as analyzed by one-way Analysis of variance, (ANOVA) but there was no difference in right wrist breadth and left humerus breadth as P>0.05. Paired t-test indicated that right parameters were significantly greater than their corresponding left parameters. Every occupation has an inherent level of physical activity, which affects general health outcomes and specifically, shape, volume and fat content of the body. Upper limb anthropometry can be used for routine surveillance of body composition since it has a direct relationship with general body composition.

Key Words: physical activity, anthropometry, occupation