Regional Features of the Morphofunctional Status of Russian Youth at the Turnof the 21st Century

Introduction: Morphofunctional status is one of the main indicators of population health and the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions under the influence of various environmental and socioeconomic factors. Objective: To identify regional features of the morphofunctional status of modern youth in different Russian cities. Materials and methods: In 2016–2024, we examined 1,466 young men and women aged 17 to 23 years living in four Russian cities of Barnaul, Petrozavodsk, Moscow, and Samara to collect data on body type indicators (skeletal mass index, chest breadth, narrow/wide build; body mass index, mean skinfold), component body composition (skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, active-cell mass, basal metabolic rate), functional characteristics of the cardiovascular system (Robinson index), respiratory system (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), as well as overall strength (the ratio of right hand grip strength to body weight). Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed in different R programming language packages. Results: Among the examined male groups, the largest build with a tendency to greater obesity and increased fat deposition was observed in the young men from Barnaul. In Moscow, young men were found to be the most narrowly built with relatively lower development of the fat component of the physique. Young men from Samara occupied an intermediate position. Petrozavodsk young men had a relatively high average shoulder width, which, combined with the reduced fat deposition, indicate a tendency toward andromorphic (masculine) proportions. The comparison of functional characteristics between different regional groups showed good physical development and a high metabolic rate in young men living in Moscow, Samara, and Petrozavodsk. The minimum values of these characteristics were observed in young men from Barnaul. Similar regional features of variability of morphofunctional traits were traced in girls. Conclusion: We developed regional morphofunctional profiles of young people living in different Russian cities, the structure of which is based on the most informative features that determine somatic status and functional adaptive capacity to different climatic, geographical, and socioeconomic living conditions. Our findings can be used to assess and monitor the morphofunctional status of young men and women in order to improve physical conditions, adaptive capacity, and physical health of modern youth.