DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D), SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, ANTHROPOMETRIC AND ADIPOSITY MARKERS OF MILITARY PERSONNELS IN JAJI, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D), SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, ANTHROPOMETRIC AND ADIPOSITY MARKERS OF MILITARY PERSONNELS IN JAJI, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2025-05
Authors
SHEHU, Ahmad Umar
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Abstract
Physical characteristics and body composition have been known to be fundamental to excellence and performance. However, comprehensive studies to assess anthropometry, body composition parameters and aggression across military men in Nigeria are generally scanty. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D and anthropometric variables, body composition and aggression amongst military personnel in Jaji, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total number of 402 apparently healthy military men of the Nigerian army in Jaji cantonment (officers n=189 and soldiers n=213) were randomly selected and recruited for the study. All anthropometric measurements were done according to the protocol of International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry and body composition variables were computed. Aggression was assessed with the use of aggression questionnaire. Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis test followed by pair wise comparison with the Bonferronni corrections, discriminant function analysis and Spearman’s correlation were used and P < 0.05 was set as the level of significance. The soldiers had significantly higher mean values for R2D, R2D:4D physical aggression and fat mass compared with the officers (P<0.05) while the officers on the other hand had significantly higher values for bicep skin fold thickness and fat free mass index (P<0.05). However, other anthropometric, body composition and aggression parameters did not differ significantly between the soldiers and officers (P>0.05). The anthropometric and body composition parameters showed significant changes based on the length of stay of military men in service (P<0.05). With regards to the effect of cigarette smoking, non-cigarette smokers had significantly higher mean values for height, weight skin fold thicknesses compared with smokers (P<0.05) while smokers on the other hand had higher values for R2D and L2D:4D (P<0.05). Body composition and aggression parameters were not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers (P>0.05). Similarly on the influence of alcohol consumption, alcohol drinkers had significantly higher mean values for body mass index, mid upper arm circumference and aggression parameters compared with non-alcohol drinker (P<0.05). However, body composition parameters did not differ significantly between alcohol and non-alcohol drinkers (P>0.05). Furthermore, the discriminant function analysis proved effective in the identification of military cadres with overall accuracy being 59.5%, in 62% of soldiers and 56.6% of officers were correctly classified. Lastly, 2D:4D showed significant correlations with physical aggression, verbal aggression, total aggression, anger, waist circumference, waist-hip-ratio, body fat%, fat free mass, biceps and subscapular skinfolds in the soldiers while in the officers body composition and aggression parameters did not show significant correlations with 2D:4D. In conclusion, the relationship between 2D:4D and some anthropometric, body composition and aggression parameters have been established. Length of stay of military men in service, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption showed varying effects on the anthropometric parameters, body composition and aggression components. The study also revealed that some anthropometric and body composition variables gave a moderate to good (59.5%) military cadre discrimination accuracy, which emphasizes its utility as an adjunct for screening military men in the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna, Nigeria. Future studies can compare various military cantonments across the country using a larger sample size and ensure gender sensitivity in their design.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN ANATOMY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ANATOMY, FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA