No strong association between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and adult anthropometric measures with emphasis on adiposity

Muller DC, Manning JT, Hopper JL, English DR, Giles GG, Severi G (2013) No strong association between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and adult anthropometric measures with emphasis on adiposity. Annals of human biology 40:201-204

Objectives: This report aimed to assess whether second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with adult anthropometric measures and, in particular, measurements of adiposity. Methods: Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and bioelectrical resistance and reactance were measured at baseline attendance of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. 2D:4D was measured from photocopies of participants' hands that were taken at a recent follow-up of the cohort. Complete anthropometric and 2D:4D data were available for 8840 women and 6076 men. Linear regression models adjusted for age at baseline and country of birth were used to estimate the expected mean increment in anthropometric measures for a standard deviation increment in 2D:4D. Results: No substantial association was found between any assessed anthropometric measure, including those of adiposity and 2D:4D. Conclusions: 2D:4D is not strongly associated with adult anthropometric measures, including those of adiposity.