Anthropometric indices correlates of temperament (Mizaj) in traditional medicine: A cross-sectional study of Iranian males

Abstract

Traditional Iranian medicine classifies individuals based on temperament (Mizaj), defined by hot-cold and dry-wet attributes, which are thought to influence health and disease susceptibility. This study investigates the relationship between temperaments and anthropometric variables, aiming to provide a quantitative, evidence-based foundation for traditional medicine. A cross-sectional study conducted with 200 healthy males aged 20–30. We recorded a number of anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, skinfold thickness, and hip (HC) and waist (WC) circumferences. Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat index (BFI) were calculated. Participants completed a validated temperament assessment questionnaire. Participants were categorized into four groups: Warm-Dry (WD) (28 %), Warm-Wet (WW) (18 %), Cold-Dry (CD) (17.3 %), and Cold-Wet (CW) (36.7 %). Significant differences were observed in weight, BMI, BFI, waist, and hip circumferences among the groups. The CW group had the highest average weight (88.35 kg), BFI (25.1 %), BMI (27.93 kg/m²), while the WD group had the lowest weight (69.39 kg), BMI (21.13 kg/m²), BFI (14.8 %), ROC curve analysis identified pelvic circumference as the optimal predictor for cold-warm temperament classification, with a cut-off value of 99.5 cm, for dry-wet temperament, BFI was the reasonable predictor, with a cut-off of 20.10 %. The findings are consistent with traditional Iranian medicine principles, which associate warm-wet temperaments with larger body sizes and greater soft tissue mass, while cold or dry temperaments correlate with a leaner physique. These findings support the using anthropometric indices as objective measures for temperament classification, offering a scientific basis for traditional Iranian medicine and enhancing personalized health interventions.