Skinfold thickness, body measurements and age changes in Trio and Wajana Indians of Surinam

The nutritional status of Trio and Wajana is representative of a group living under primitive conditions in a favourable environment. In adults, skinfold thickness remains constant throughout life. The folds of females are thicker than those of males, the difference being most marked over the triceps and least at the subscapular. In children, skinfold thickness at the subscapular and suprailiac sites decreases from the 3–4 to the 5–6 age group, after which there is a rapid increase towards adult values. Age changes over the triceps are less marked, especially in males. Other measurements included arm and calf circumference, bone dimensions at the wrist, elbow, ankle and knee, weight, stature, leg and arm length and biacromial breadth. The two tribes differ significantly in several measurements. The Wajana are heavier but they tend to be shorter in stature, with shorter legs but broader elbows and wrists. Shoulder breadth and the circumference of the upper arm are greater in Wajana males but females do not show these differences. The Wajana have longer and broader heads, but the cephalic index is similar. The tribes also differ in hair texture.