Braiding hair is a hairstyling technique that primarily depends on the length, texture, and thickness of the hair itself, rather than the dimensions of the face or head.

1. Obaje Godwin Sunday1, Bernard Eze Orji2, Ihotu James1
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences1
Department of Theatre Arts2
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Nigeria
godwin.sunday@funai.edu.ng, obe4real@gmail.com, ihotujames1@gmail.com
Variation in Facial Anthropometric and
Braiding Parameters Among Age Groups
Conference Date: 7-9June, 2023
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2. INTRODUCTION
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3. AIM OF THE STUDY
• To investigate the variations in facial anthropometrics and explore the
differences in braiding parameters (e.g., patterns, styles, complexity)
across various age groups
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4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
• To measure and compare facial anthropometric parameters, such as
facial width, height, and proportions, among different age groups.
• To analyze and document the variations in braiding patterns, styles,
and complexity across various age groups.
• To identify any correlations or associations between facial
anthropometric parameters and braiding parameters within each age
group.
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5. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
• Understanding the variations in facial anthropometric parameters
can contribute to the development of age-specific cosmetic and
reconstructive procedures, personalized facial treatments, and even
assist in forensic anthropology.
• Investigating the differences in braiding parameters across various
age groups can contribute to our understanding of cultural practices,
fashion trends, and individual self-expression
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6. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
No study endeavors to unravel the fascinating nuances in facial
anthropometric parameters and braiding parameters across different
age groups in Nigerian subjects, aiming to illuminate the intricacies of
human diversity, cultural expressions, and personal grooming choices
Interplay between age, facial aesthetics, and self-expression through
braiding will emerge, enabling us to celebrate the rich tapestry of
human beauty and honor the diverse perspectives that shape our
sense of identity.
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7. Materials and Methods
Materials
Five hundred and three (503) healthy participants were randomly
recruited between the ages of 19 to 25 years as students in the 2022-2023
academic session at the federal institution, southeastern Nigeria.
Anthropometrics;
• Anatomical: Head circumference, face width, face length, hair length, hair
thickness, hair density, hair texture
• Theatrical: Braid style, color of braids, width of braids, length of braids
• Socio-psychological: Cultural significance of braiding, personal preference
for braiding, perception of braiding by others, and self-esteem and
confidence related to braiding
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8. Materials and methods cont…
Anthropometrics
• Age: The age of the participants was determined by their date of birth and
the date of the study
• Head length: The head length was measured from the glabella to the
opisthion
• Head width: The head width was measured at the widest point of the head
• Upper facial length: The upper facial length was measured from the nasion
to the gnathion
• Lower facial length: The lower facial length was measured from the
gnathion to the menton
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9. Materials and methods cont…
Anthropometrics
• Total facial length (Figure 3): The total facial length was measured
from the nasion to the menton
• Face width: The face width was measured at the widest point of the
face
• Weight: The weight of the participants was measured using a digital
scale
• Height: The height of the participants was measured using a
stadiometer
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10. Materials and methods cont…
• Anthropometric indices
• BMI: The BMI was calculated using the following formula: BMI = weight
(kg) / height (m)^2
• Cephalic Index: The cephalic index is a measure of the shape of the head. It
is calculated by dividing the head length by the head width and multiplying
by 100.
• Prosopic Index: The prosopic index is a measure of the shape of the face. It
is calculated by dividing the upper facial length by the lower facial length
and multiplying by 100
• Facial Types: The facial types were categorized based on the cephalic and
prosopic indices
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11. Materials and methods cont…
Questionnaire
Anatomical questions: Related to the anatomical effects of braiding
on the face and head
Theatrical questions: Related to the theatrical effects of braiding on
the face and head
Socio-psychological questions: Related to the socio-psychological
effects of braiding on the face and head, and A: Agreed, SA: Strongly
agreed, D: Disagreed, and SD: Strongly disagreed
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12. Materials and
methods cont…
Figures: Total facial, upper, lower facial lengths, and braiding measurements of subject participations
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13. RESULTS
Tabl e 1: G
e ne r al c har ac t e r i z at i on of s t udy popul at i on
Para m
et ers M
e an±SD
Age (years) 21. 02±1. 33
Head Lengt h (c m
) 19. 68±1. 44
Head W
i dt h (c m
) 16. 80±1. 54
Upper Faci al L
engt h ( m
m
) 53. 95±5. 50
Lo w
er Faci al L
engt h ( m
m
) 64. 32±5. 28
Tot al Faci al L
engt h ( mm) 123. 16±7. 08
Face W
i dt h ( mm
) 133. 40±6. 35
W
ei ght (kg) 65. 57±12. 67
Hei ght ( m
) 1. 64±0. 07
B M
I (kg/ m
2) 24. 31±4. 78
Cephalic Index 85. 64±7. 75
Pr osopi c Index 92. 38±4. 59
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14. Tabl e 2: Fac i al i ndi c e s ac r os s age gr oups of t he s t udy popul at i on.
Para m
et ers G
r oup A G
r oup B G
r oup C F- val ue p- val ue
Age (year) 19. 53±0. 50 21. 27±0. 44 23. 10±0. 37 947. 86 <0. 001*
HL (c m
) 19. 77±1. 42 19. 53±1. 49 19. 87±1. 31 1. 21 0. 29
HW(c m
) 16. 96±1. 54 16. 62±1. 57 17. 00±1. 45 1. 64 0. 19
UFL ( mm
) 54. 42±5. 43 53. 84±5. 49 53. 39±5. 72 0. 57 0. 56
LFL ( mm
) 63. 72±5. 21 64. 42±5. 70 65. 17±4. 12 1. 15 0. 31
TFL ( mm
) 122. 26±6. 54 122. 94±7. 45 125. 36±6. 71 3. 01 0. 05
F W( mm
) 132. 52±5. 81 133. 49±6. 43 134. 80±6. 92 1. 95 0. 14
W
ei ght (kg) 56. 93±8. 45 66. 40±9. 85 79. 19±13. 02 73. 16 <0. 001*
Hei ght ( m
) 1. 62±0. 09 1. 64±0. 05 1. 67±0. 05 8. 04 <0. 001*
B M
I 21. 76±4. 18 24. 59±3. 90 28. 26±5. 06 35. 57 <0. 001*
C
I 86. 07±8. 54 85. 28±7. 09 85. 80±8. 01 0. 26 0. 76
PI 92. 33±4. 76 92. 13±4. 37 93. 12±4. 86 0. 76 0. 46
Keys: H
ead lengt h ( H
L
), Head w
i dt h ( HW
), U
pper faci al lengt h ( U
FL
), Lower faci al lengt h ( LFL
),
Tot al faci al lengt h ( TFL), Face w
i dt h ( F W
), k
il ogra m (kg), m
et er ( m
), m
illi m
et er ( mm
), B
ody
m
ass i ndex ( BM
I), C
ephalic Index ( C
I), P
rosopi c Index ( P
I). G
r oup A
= 19-20years, G
r oup B=21-
22years, G
r oup C= 23- 25years.
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15. Tabl e 3: Fac e t ype s of t he s t udy popul at i on
Ce phalic Index categorizati on
Faci al Types Frequency ( N
) Percent age ( %
)
Doli cocephalic 1 0. 4
M
es ocephalic 59 23. 6
B
r achycephalic 21 8. 4
Hyper brachycephalic 169 67. 6
Prosop
i c Index categorizati on
Hypereuri prosopi c 2 0. 8
Euri prosopi c 15 6. 0
M
es opr osopi c 49 19. 6
Lept opr osopi c 101 40. 4
Hyperlept opr osopi c 83 33. 2
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16. Facial parameters Age Height Weight
r-value p-value r-value p-value r-value p-value
Head length -0.03 0.57 0.08 0.16 0.02 0.74
Head width -0.01 0.91 0.13* 0.03 0.05 0.41
Upper facial length -0.08 0.17 0.07 0.21 0.01 0.94
Lower facial length 0.09 0.12 0.05 0.37 0.12* 0.04*
Total facial length 0.16** 0.01* 0.18** 0.003 0.18* 0.004*
Face width 0.17** 0.01* 0.09 0.13 0.22* <0.001*
Cephalic Index 0.02 0.74 0.07 0.25 0.03 0.62
Prosopic Index 0.02 0.66 0.13* 0.03 0.001 0.98
Keys: r=correlation value (*weak, **strong), significant at p<0.05.
Table 4: Relationship between age, height and weight with
facial parameters of the study population
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17. Anat o m
i cal questi ons A SA D SD
Face t ype/facial struct ure det er m
i nes t he
type of brai d
138 76 31 5
B
r ai d pull the forehead backw
ar d 99 102 38 11
B
r ai d can cause tracti on al opeci a (hair l oss)
if the brai ds are not put in correctl y
108 117 21 4
B
r ai di ng causes stress on your hair if done
too ti ghtl y
82 159 8 1
B
r ai d m
ay cause result in hair loss 116 107 22 5
B
r ai d can cause dryness of t he face 39 29 133 49
Theatri cal questi ons A SA D SD
A brai ded hair enhances the beaut y of t he
face
87 153 9 1
A brai ded hair serves as m
a keup for ladi es 135 83 28 4
A brai ded hair ensures good cl o
t h
i ng is w
or n 92 56 80 22
Table 5: Anatomical, theatrical, and Socio-psychological responses on the face and head by braiding
Keys: A=Agreed, SA=Strongly agreed, D=Disagreed, SD=Strongly disagreed
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18. Contributions to Knowledge
 Provide facial characterizations of the study population
 Reveals the distribution of face types and braiding in the study
population
 Age-related changes in facial structure and braiding
 Importance of choosing braiding styles based on facial type, and the
potential for braided hair to enhance appearance
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19. References
Agrawal, S., Daruwalla, S. B., & Dhurat, R. S. (2020). The flambeau sign: A
new dermoscopy finding in a case of marginal traction alopecia. Australas J
Dermatol, 61(1), 49–50.
Obaje GS, Mbagwu M, Egwu AO. The Power of Predictive Model for Age and
Sex Using Nasal Parameters. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Mar-Apr 01;32(2):600-
602. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006831. PMID: 33704990.
Obaje, Sunday Godwin; Ibegbu, Austine Oseloka. Dominance of the
Leptoprosopic Face and Mesorrhine Nose Types: Does Stature and Facial
Types Matter in Northern Nigerian Adults?. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
32(4):p 1452-1454, June 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000007302
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