Facial Index Among Adolescents and Young Adults of Yoruba Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

Facial differences in facial dimension exist in different populations, forming an important source of ethnical and/or racial identification. This study established the baseline measurements of facial anthropometric parameters and facial index of 2,109 unrelated male and female individuals from the Yoruba ethnic population, aged 15–30 years, using a photographic procedure. To annotate the landmarks, digimizer software was used, and 2 linear distances were measured, and a facial index was calculated. Our results on facial index (FI) showed that the commonest type of facial shape among Yoruba males (98.0%) and females (97.9%) was hyperleptoproscopic, and the same is observed across age groups. Also, correlation statistics revealed a weak and significant positive correlation between facial index and biometric parameters such as weight, age, and height, but a weak and significant negative correlation with the BMI. The study concluded that the majority of adolescents and young adults of Yoruba ethnic groups in Nigeria have hyperleptoproscopic (very long) faces, with males having longer faces than females. Clinicians, plastic surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, and geneticists can use the information from this study to diagnose and treat craniofacial abnormalities.