The comparisons of anthropometric characteristics among four peoples in East Asia

This study presents comparisons of ethnic difference in anthropometric characteristics among four peoples, i.e., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese, in East Asia. Anthropometric data from the four East Asian Countries were compared. The means of 33 body dimensions and 31 bodily proportions are presented. Also, 15 segmental proportions are illustrated. The results of statistical analyses showed that there is a significant morphological difference among these peoples in the same region. The Mainland Chinese body shape has a narrower body with mid-range limbs. The Japanese body shape is wider with shorter limbs. The Korean body shape is mid-range among the four peoples, but the upper limbs are longer. The Taiwanese body shape has wide shoulder and narrow hip with large hands and long legs. The ethnic diversity in bodily proportions should be considered as well as the mean dimensions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.