Cluster Analysis on Body Size of Children Aged 7 of 27 Chinese Minority Nations

Abstract

By using PCA-Q mode cluster analysis, the morphological differences and similarities among Chinese minority nations were studied. The data was drawn from 2,473 boys and 2,356 girls aged 7 who came from 27 Chinese minority nations and participated in the "National Survey on Students Constitution and Health". Their body sizes were reflected by six physical measures. At first, the values of these measures were normalized into principal component scores. Then clustering was done among various nations according to the distances determined by their component scores. The clusters thus formed showed significant differences among themselves, which meant that wide variations really existed within the Chinese minority nations. The geographic, socio-economic and other possible factors responsible for those variations were investigated. Some interfering methods and strategies for improving the delayed growth status of children in some minority nations were also suggested by the authors.