European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

INTRODUCTION
Cephalometry is used for classification of sex and race of a person whose identity is not known. Skull is most important reliable bone for sex differentiation Cranial index also referred to as cephalic index is measured to categorize head shapes. The cephalic index is ratio of the maximum width divided by its maximum length multiplied by 100.
 
AIM
To verify if cephalic index can be used for sexual dimorphism.
 
MATERIALS AND METHOD
A group of 60 individuals were selected: 30 males and 30 females. After getting informed consent measurements were taken with the help of spreading calipers. All measurements were taken by a single observer to avoid error, three values were recorded and the average value were taken as the main value. SPSS software was used to analyze the data and related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test was done
 
RESULT
Wilcoxon signed rank test was done, the p value was 0.192 (p>0.05). So, it is statistically not significant, hence sexual dimorphism cannot be determined using head circumference
 
CONCLUSION
Cephalic index is a very useful parameter for various anthropometric studies, from the present study we conclude that the Cephalic index is not reliable parameter for sexual dimorphism.

In India, children living in the backward and drought-prone areas, urban slums and those
belonging to the socially backward groups like scheduled castes and tribal communities are
highly susceptible to undernutrition. But condition is worst among the scheduled tribal
communities. Most of the tribal people of India have their own geographically isolated life
style. Inadequate food habits along with traditional socio-cultural and biological activities
may lead to high proportion of child undernutrition. A total number of 100 Oraon Tribe boys
and 100 Non-Oraon boys were selected as subjects for the study.The data was collected on
students of school. They were grouped into two groups- Oraon and non Oraon. The mean CI
index varied between 72.35 to 78.08 in OT and NO both. The highest value for this index was
observed at 11+ and 17+ years in both groups respectively, while the lowest value was
observed at 8+ and 15+ years in both groups respectively