Sexual Dimorphism and Ethnic Differentiation: Adiposity Among Toba and Wichi Children and Adolescents
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Abstract
Life history theory states that organisms must allocate finite time and energy to a set of competing functions: growth, maintenance, reproduction, or energy storage. The primary function of body fat is to serve as an energy reserve, and developmental changes in adiposity are understood as preparation for future energetic challenges.
This paper explores age-related changes in adiposity among the Toba and Wichi in order to understand the possible adaptive bases of the growth pattern. The somatological variables used were arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. From these, total arm area (TA), arm muscle area (MA), and arm fat area (FA) were calculated. Individual data were grouped by age and sex; arithmetic means and standard deviations were obtained for each variable.
Sexual differences were observed in all variables. In TA, girls showed higher values than boys. In MA, girls showed higher values among the Toba, whereas boys showed higher values among the Wichi. Female FA was greater in both ethnic groups. Therefore, females in both groups presented greater TA because they had a greater amount of adipose tissue.
With regard to ethnic differences, the Toba showed higher values for TA and MA than the Wichi, while the Wichi showed higher values for FA, with a similar contribution by sex. Since both groups inhabit a similar environment, the differences found make it possible to infer, on the one hand, better dietary quality among the Toba and, on the other, to corroborate ancestry differences already noted by other authors.
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