Ethnic and Gender Variations in The Trunk-To-Leg Ratio Among Malaysian Adults in Shah Alam Population

Abstract

Background and Aim: Definite and proportional biological relationship of the trunk to leg is specific which makes either of it suitable to be used during examination of incomplete and dismembered bodies. The ratio of the trunk to leg is an important information that help in identification of age, sex, and race. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between trunk-to-leg ratio and gender among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia. Methodology: The current research included 270 young adults (18-35 years old) from both gender and three major ethnic groups (Malay, Indian & Chinese) in Shah Alam, Selangor. The mean and standard deviation of the measurements taken were calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression equations were calculated for all participants then for each gender. Results: This is a statistically significant gender and ethnic differences between the length of trunk (TL) and length of leg (LL) ratio (p>0.01) among the studied sample of Malaysian. Both TL and LL showed a moderately strong correlation (r=0.45). Conclusion: The mean and the ratio of both TL and LL measurement is higher in males than in female subjects in the study group and TL shows a strong correlation with the height while LL does not.