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Somatotype is used to explore spatial and temporal variations of body physique in relation to varying degrees of environmental and cultural changes. Empirical studies on spatial and temporal variations of somatotype in similar groups living in different time points are scanty. The present study tries to find the similarities/difference in somatotype within occupational group having same ethnicity, same environment in two time points and between two occupational groups in two time points. For this study, data on anthropometric traits and somatotype components were collected from 182 tea garden (TG) and 222 agricultural (AG) Oraon labourers in 1990 and again on 207 TG and 216 AG Oraon labourers in 2016 from Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India on the same group and region. The study showed the mean values of anthropometric traits were higher in both TG and AG labourers of 2016 than that of 1990, irrespective of sex. Endomorphic component significantly increased and mesomorphic and ectomorphic components decreased in both TG and AG labourers of 2016. TG and AG labourers in either time point show occupational differences only in males. Male AG labourers have high ectomorphic and endomorphic components than male TG labourers in either time points. However, female TG labourers of 2016 show high endomorphic component than AG labourers, indicative of less physical activity by the TG females. The findings show that both the occupational groups (TG and AG) converted towards endomorph over time. Spatial differences in somatotype exist between TG and AG even in different time points, indicative of occupational differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the paper has been to explore the association of media exposure with perception of body image and eating behavior among a group of adolescent boys. A cross sectional study was conducted among 102 adolescent boys belonging to the Bengali-speaking Hindu ethnic group, who were between the ages of 14 and 19 years, living in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, body image perception and attitude, media exposures and eating behavior were collected using standard pretested questionnaires. It was observed that around half of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with a desire to have a healthy body shape. Although participants, who generally spent more than one hour a day on watching television or browsing internet or reading magazine articles, were more dissatisfied with their body image than the others; yet no significant association was found between any of the media and satisfaction level of their body image. Results further revealed that majority of the participants have normal eating behavior and only 10% of the participants, who were dissatisfied with their body image, showed disordered eating behavior. Only significant association was found between consumption of chocolates and their satisfaction level of own body image. Our qualitative data showed that participants were not much concerned with their 'body image' and 'body weight", but they did fantasize about the body structure of their idols (be them the actors, athletes or social leaders) and wanted to be like them. It can be safely assumed that the adolescent boys have dissatisfaction with their body image perhaps in their subconscious mind. Media would play a significant role in building up their body image and consequently their eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]