Somatotype distribution in male college students in northern India

Somatotyping of a random and representative sample of 1000 college men from northern India has been done on standard Sheldonian lines. The mean somatotype here, 2.85, 2.96, 4.56 and somatotype distribution were similar to those of a comparable sample of college men examined in central India a few years earlier showing their close identity. The only significant differences were the slightly higher proportion of those with dominant endomorphy and dominant mesomorphy respectively in the northern sample. Both the Indian samples are much lower in mesomorphy and endomorphy and much higher in ectomorphy than their colleagues in England or America. All three differ markedly from Japanese and Nilotics who are highest in mesomorphy and ectomorphy respectively. The classical Sheldon's method of somatotyping physique, which is a measure of shape and not size, has amply proved its usefulness and reliability. The modifications suggested by various workers have yet to justify themselves and stand the test of time.