Abstract
Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic biometric marker. Regarding
indirect evidence, there have been several studies that link the waist-to-hip ratio
(WHR) with the 2D:4D ratio. If the 2D:4D ratio is associated with testosterone and
estrogen levels, it may be correlated with a risk of myocardial infarction (MI). The
aim of the present study is to find out the correlation between anthropometric risk
factors for cardiovascular disease and the 2D:4D ratio in 250 young females of the
state of Haryana in Northern India. The present study was conducted on 250 females
of the Haryana population aged between 17 and 35 years old. A series of 8 anthropometric
measurements was obtained from the participants: height, weight, 2D:4D ratio, body
mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), neck circumference
(NC), and WHR. The data was collected, tabulated and subjected to statistical computation
using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Strong
positive associations between the NC and the WHR confirm that both measures are indicative
of body fat. Also, a positive correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and the WHR suggests
that low androgen levels in women are associated with a greater risk of obesity. Moreover,
this result, as well as the positive correlation between 2D:4D ratios and NC, suggest
that the digit ratio is indicative for being overweight in women and suggest a predisposition
toward cardiovascular disease – however, these correlations of body measurements with
digit ratios are not significant.
Keywords
2D:4D ratio - coronary heart disease - correlation - waist-to-hip ratio - neck circumference
