No strong association between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and adult anthropometric measures with emphasis on adiposity

Abstract

Objectives: This report aimed to assess whether second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with adult anthropometric measures and, in particular, measurements of adiposity.

Methods: Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and bioelectrical resistance and reactance were measured at baseline attendance of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. 2D:4D was measured from photocopies of participants' hands that were taken at a recent follow-up of the cohort. Complete anthropometric and 2D:4D data were available for 8840 women and 6076 men. Linear regression models adjusted for age at baseline and country of birth were used to estimate the expected mean increment in anthropometric measures for a standard deviation increment in 2D:4D.

Results: No substantial association was found between any assessed anthropometric measure, including those of adiposity and 2D:4D.

Conclusions: 2D:4D is not strongly associated with adult anthropometric measures, including those of adiposity.

Keywords::

• Digit ratio
• 2D:4D
• anthropometric measures
• adiposity
• BMI
• hormones

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the men and women of Melbourne who participated in this study and continue to participate in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We would also like to acknowledge the work of Juliet Anderson, Lily Laskaris and Judith Heads, who measured the vast majority of the digits, and the many members of the study team past and present.

Declaration of interest : The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. This work was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (# 450104) and was further supported by infrastructure provided by Cancer Council Victoria. Cohort recruitment was funded by VicHealth and Cancer Council Victoria.