Background: Ethnicity, stature and gender influence the anthropometric characteristics of the right ear, thus creating variations which are helpful for sex identification and medico-legal purposes in forensic examinations. This study has produced anthropometric data on the right external ear among the Ikwo people in southeastern Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Ear and lobular indices were obtained from the dimensions of the right external ear of 240 Ikwo adults aged 18-35. Also, three predictive models (equations) were produced in the study.Results: Descriptions of the right external ear for the study population were obtained. Aside from ear indices, which were higher in females than in males, males were taller in stature than females (P<0.001). Regarding correlation, right ear parameters in both sexes appeared positive and strongly correlated with stature. Regression models strongly predicted stature based on external ear measurements.Conclusion: Medical applications (monitoring diseases, forensics, industrial design and apparel design) of this study cannot be overemphasized in this world of medical sciences, in particular when it comes to understand the human external ear in terms of hearing and communication.

The prevalence of obesity and hypertension is increasing, particularly in the urban areas. However, there is limited research on the relationship between obesity and hypertension in the rural areas of southeastern Nigeria. The present study aimed to investigate the association between anthropometric parameters and adiposity indicators and the risk of hypertension with obesity-related conditions, based on a descriptive study of people living in the southeastern rural areas of Nigeria. The cluster sampling procedure randomly recruited study participants. Finally, 200 participants (100 male and 100 female) aged 18 to 25 years were included in the study. A simplified correlation analysis was used to derive the adjusted indicators in relation to age and sex. This study found that females generally had a higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and Z-score, whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in men. A high correlation was found between the body shape index (ABSI) and BMI (r = −.529, P < .001), WC (r = .399, P < .001) and Z-score (r = .982, P < .001) in male participants. In females, there was a high correlation between ABSI and BMI, blood pressure (BP), and Z score in female participants (r = −.481, P < .000; r = −.267, P = .007; r = .941, P < .000). In male participants, BMI was correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP; r = .236, P = .018), SBP (r = .282, P = .005), Z score (r = −.539, P < .000), and WC (r = .541, P < .001). This study highlights the importance of considering a range of anthropometric measurements and health parameters when assessing health risks and identifying potential interventions. In addition, the body shape index may be a particularly useful tool for predicting health risks in both men and women. In contrast, correlations between various health parameters can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and risk factors.

College of medical sciences conference abstracts

Objective: Effects of heavy hair braiding on facial anthropometrics have raised concerns in recent times. These concerns arise from the potential impact on cultural practices and the implications for physical appearance and self-perception. This study aimed to investigate the effects of braiding on the soft anthropometrics in face and head among students in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 503 healthy participants, aged 19 to 25 years, were randomly recruited from an institution. Measurements of total facial length and face width were taken. A structured questionnaire was used, that contain anatomical, theatrical, and socio-psychological questions to evaluate the effects of braiding on the face and head. Participants responded using a Likert scale. Results: Mesocephalic shape was the commonest classification of the skulls based on cephalic indices. Relationship between age and facial parameters of the study population showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.17, p<0.05). Majority of respondents agreed that face type/facial structure determines the type of braid (n = 138) and braid can pull the forehead backward (n = 102).Conclusion: This study will contribute to understanding the influence of braiding on facial and head anthropometrics among Nigerian students. This information can inform discussions on cultural practices and their implications for physical appearance and self-perception.

Background: Due to various factors, blood lipid profiles may vary across ethnicities. These effects may be particularly prominent in athletes and dependent on nutritional status during training. This study aimed to investigate blood lipid variables in relation to age, sex, and nutritional status among athletes in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 202 athletes (112 males and 90 females) were recruited between February 2022 and April 2023 at the Ebonyi State Sporting Complex in Abakaliki. Body compositions were assessed using a bioelectrical analysis (BIA) model. A significance level of p<0.05 was used. Results: Significant differences were found in blood lipid. Male athletes had higher levels of total cholesterol (3.91±0.39) and LDL cholesterol (1.96±0.25) compared to female athletes (3.93±0.43 and 193±0.47). Furthermore, older athletes had higher levels of total cholesterol (3.91±0.39, p<0.05) and triglycerides (1.02±0.34, p<0.05) compared to younger athletes (3.86±0.36 and 1.07±0.38). Based on BMI categories, approximately 37.6% of the individuals in the sample were classified as normal, 34.2% as overweight, and 28.2% as obese. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the differences in blood lipid variables among athletic populations, shedding light on the cardiovascular health of athletes. These insights can inform targeted interventions and monitoring strategies.