Association between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and body fat distribution in Mordovian students

Abstract

Background: The length ratio of the second to the fourth finger (2D:4D) is a possible biomarker of prenatal sex hormone levels, which play a significant role in determining sex-related body traits.

Aims: To evaluate the value of the 2D:4D ratio in a Mordovian sample and to test the associations between the 2D:4D ratio and sexually dimorphic morphological traits, such as height and body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, the waist-to-hip ratio, handgrip strength and the skinfold thickness.

Subjects and methods: The sample studied included 106 individuals of Mordovian ethnicity: 58 males and 48 females, 16–23 years old. The associations between the 2D:4D ratio and morphological traits were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis and correlation analysis.

Results: The 2D:4D ratio in males was significantly lower than in females. Most of the associations of the 2D:4D ratio with morphological traits were statistically insignificant. The 2D:4D ratio is only significantly correlated with skinfold thickness of the forearm and the abdomen in females.

Conclusion: The association between the 2D:4D ratio and skinfold thickness is indicative of the role of prenatal sex hormones in shaping the body fat distribution in females, along with the significant impact of sex hormones at puberty.

Keywords:

• Body morphology
• digit ratio
• Mordvins
• skinfold thickness

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Editage for editorial assistance and AHB reviewer for constructive suggestions and valuable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research [Grant number: RFBR No 18 -09-00290].