| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total | |
| No. % | No. % | No. % | No. % | No. % | No. % | ||
| Fiji I | 351 43 | 195 24 | 110 14 | 88 11 | 68 8 | 1 {0.1} | 813 |
| Interior | 54 35 | 56 37 | 13 8 | 15 10 | 15 10 | 0 0 | 153 |
| East | 49 41 | 33 28 | 15 13 | 12 10 | 11 9 | 0 0 | 120 |
| Coast | 84 40 | 51 24 | 36 17 | 18 9 | 19 9 | 1 1 | 209 |
| N.W. | 39 49 | 19 24 | 11 14 | 6 8 | 4 5 | 0 0 | 79 |
Variations in body build have been expressed with the Sheldon method of somatotyping.[18] Accordingly, the Fijians are primarily and definitely mesomorphic, with endomorphy the second strongest component, and ectomorphy, third. About 80 per cent of the total series had a mesomorphic rating of 5 and 6 which leaves no doubt as to the prevailingly athletic physique. Endomorphy is seldom pronounced so that obesity may be described as no more than occasional. A pronounced linear build is likewise relatively infrequent.
The Fijian subgroups do not vary markedly from the over-all pattern.
SUMMARY
The preceding data may be summarized from three points of view. The first will emphasize the physical features that are common to most Fijians. At the outset it should be pointed out that a "typical" Fijian does not exist, except as a statistical abstraction. The racial composition of the Fijian is complex and far from being homogeneous. There is no doubt, from the physical and cultural evidence, as well as the geographical location, that Fijians are related to both Melanesians and Polynesians. The second point is to give a precise indication of these affinities with Melanesia and Polynesia. A third concern of this analysis is the geographical variability within Fiji. This consists of a regional breakdown of the Fijian data into interior, eastern, coastal, and northwestern divisions, in order to demonstrate some of the local variation of the Melanesian-Polynesian ingredients and their possible meaning.
Body (pl. 1).
—In general size and appearance, the Fijian is tall and well proportioned. His body is fairly tall and well muscled, that is, predominately athletic in build. Obesity is relatively uncommon except in moderate degrees. This rather tall stature allies the Fijians more closely with the Polynesians. Shoulder, chest, and hip diameters also indicate that Fijians are generously endowed.
The Fijians who occupy the mountainous interior of the main island are less tall than the coastal and eastern people; they also have narrower shoulders, relatively deeper and narrower chests, whereas their arms and legs are somewhat shorter. The eastern Fijians are tallest of all subgroups.
Skin Color.
—Most Fijians have either medium- or dark-brown skin on the exposed facial surfaces. The more protected body areas show higher frequencies of medium brown and light brown. The Fijians are definitely less dark than the Melanesians but are darker, on the whole, than the Polynesians.