Somatotype profile and body composition in urban Tarahumara schoolchildren: early indicators of cardiometabolic risk

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem, particularly in populations undergoing nutritional transition. In indigenous groups, sociocultural changes are modifying traditional growth and body composition patterns. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition and anthropometric indices of Tarahumara schoolchildren from two urban settlements in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40 Tarahumara schoolchildren (6-12 years old) from the Carlos Arroyo Herrera and Carlos Díaz Infante settlements. The ISAK anthropometric protocol was applied, calculating BMI, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, Manouvrier Index, and somatotype. Descriptive statistics and Student's t-test were used for comparing means (p < 0.05). Results: No significant differences were observed between settlements in most of the anthropometric variables (p > 0.05). Seventy percent of the schoolchildren were classified as normal weight, 17% as overweight, and 12% as obese, with a higher combined prevalence of excess weight in the Carlos Arroyo Herrera Settlement (42% vs. 22%). The percentage of body fat was similar between groups (25.6% vs. 25.3%). The predominant somatotype pattern was endomorphic-mesomorphic in both settlements, with a slightly higher prevalence of ectomorphy in the Carlos Díaz Infante Settlement. Elevated waist-to-hip ratios were observed in females, suggesting a tendency toward central adiposity. Conclusions: The schoolchildren evaluated presented similar anthropometric profiles; however, evidence of nutritional transition and potential early cardiometabolic risk was identified, particularly in one settlement and among females. It is recommended to strengthen preventive strategies and anthropometric monitoring in the indigenous school population.

Keywords: Tarahumara; body composition; schoolchildren; childhood obesity; somatotype.