Estimation of Stature of the Annang Ethnic Group of Nigeria Using Knee Height

This study was to determine the mean stature, mean knee height and the correlation between stature and knee height among adults of the Annang ethnic group of Nigeria. It was also aimed to find a regression equation to predict stature from knee height in adults of the Annang ethnic group of Nigeria. A total of 400 people (216 males and 184 females) between the ages of 18 and 50 participated in this anthropometric study. These participants were randomly selected from the eight local government areas of Akwa Ibom state which make up the Annang ethnic group. Verbal consent was obtained from each individual. Stature and knee height were measured using standard anthropometric techniques. Pearson's coefficients of correlation and regression equations were calculated using Minitab statistical package for stature and knee height. The mean and standard deviation for stature in this study was 165.29±9.98 and 160.36±9.09 for male and female respectively and that for knee height was 53.600±3.343 and 51.441±3.493 for male and female respectively. The knee height showed a significant linear correlation(r) with stature. (r=0.576 and r=0.400, (p<0.05) for males and females respectively. The following equations were derived to predict the stature (S). In males S= 73.1 + 1.72 knee height (cm), in females S= 107 + 1.04 knee height (cm). ). The results from this study showed that the male had significantly higher figures in all parameters than their female counterpart, thus indicating the existence of sexual dimorphism in these parameters among the Annang ethnic group of Nigeria. The result from this study is comparable to studies done in other ethnic groups and may be relevant in further anthropometric or forensic studies as it concerns the Annang ethnic group.