Abstract: The somatotypes of 311 Gejia adults (159 males and 152 females) in Guizhou were studied using the Heath-Carter somatotyping method. The results suggest that the endomorphmesomorph somatotype in both males and females are similar, but that males are more mesomophic, in contrast to females that lie between endomorphs and mesomorphs. Mean somatotype values were males: 3.4-4.8-2.1 and females: 4.9-4.7-1.3. Gender differences in somatotypes were statistically significant in all five age groups but with increased age, male endomorphic values became smaller and there were significant differences in somatotypes between age groups. Male mesomorphic and ectomorphic types were not related to age, and there were no significant age differences in mesomorphic and ectomorphic somatotypes in males. Female endomorphic values were negatively correlated with age, while mesomorphic and ectomorphic types were not related to age in females (P>0.05). The differences were statistically significant within age groups in all three somatotypes. Our research shows that the Gejia male somatotype is close to Han in Yunnan, Bouyei, Hakka and Deng, while the female type is close to Hakka, Nu, Deng and Dong. Among southern Chinese ethnic groups, Gejia adults have relatively more fat, average bone mass and muscle mass, and appear more robust. The Gejia somatotype living in Guizhou is relatively close to the Han ethnic groups living in South China.

Key words: Heath-Carter; Somatotype; Gejia; Endomorphy; Mesomorphy; Ectomorphy