Migration and the plasticity of physique in the Japanese-Americans of Hawaii

Certain anthropometric increases occur among the immigrant and subsequent two generations of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii. These changes are correlated with stature and appear to reflect a general increase in body size. The growth trend was more rapid in males and terminated after one American-born generation, suggesting that a maximization of hereditary growth potential may have been reached. For the females, however, metrical increases were more gradual and extended into the third generation. Ethnographic factors of cultural conservatism of women and male dominance in the Japanese family are discussed in connection with this sex difference.