Correlation between Second to Fourth Digit Ratio and Anthropometric Variables Indicative of Cardiovascular Disease

AbstractSecond 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.