Correlation of Skull Size and Brain Volume, with Age, Weight, Height and Body Mass Index of Arak Medical Sciences Students

Anthropometric indices that are indicators of nutrition status in children and adults can be affected by racial and geographic factors. The aim of present study was to investigate the relation of skull size and brain volume of Arak University of Medical Sciences students with their age, weight, height and body mass index. The present study was a cross-sectional study on 18-26 years old students of Arak University of Medical Sciences (150 female and 136 male) in 2009-2010 educational year. Sampling methods were probability and multi-stage methods which were performed using students’ educational file and interviewing the subjects. Questions regarding anthropometric data (height, weight, age, body mass index and skull index) were included in the personal questionnaires. Data was analyzed and evaluated statistically using SPSS statistical software. Mean height was 177.27±6.41 cm in males and was 166.61±5.35 cm in females. Mean weight of males was 73.33±9.11 kg and mean weight of females was 55.55±7.28. Mean BMI was 23.20±2.43 and 21.27±2.69 in males and females, respectively. Mean skull index was 1.99±0.26 in males and 2.20±0.3 in females. Mentioned data were significantly different between males and females. Also mean age of females was less than males. Positive relations were found between skull volume and height, weight, age and BMI in both sexes and this relation is stronger regarding BMI. The present study, supporting the other studies in this field, confirms the relation between skull index and body mass index and indicates the effect of race. Considering the studied population which are students of Arak University of Medical Sciences and are from different regions of the country, similarities between results of this study and studies from Iran and studies conducted in a special region reveals that factor of race is affected by geographical factors.