It's not accurate to say a single country has thick hair, as hair thickness is a genetic trait distributed across populations, not confined by national borders. However, based on the provided information, populations with a high prevalence of the "thick hair strand" version of the EDAR gene are found in specific regions. Therefore, it is more correct to identify which populations tend to have thick hair.
Here's a breakdown:
Populations with a High Prevalence of Thick Hair
The reference provided highlights the genetic distribution of thick hair, specifically linked to the EDAR gene:
- Han Chinese: More than 90% of Han Chinese individuals carry the gene variant associated with thick hair.
- Japanese: Approximately 70% of Japanese people have the "thick hair" gene.
- Thai: Similarly, 70% of Thai people possess the gene variant that is linked with thicker hair strands.
- Native Americans: A significant 60% to 90% of Native Americans also exhibit this gene version.
Populations with Lower Prevalence of Thick Hair
Conversely, the reference also mentions populations where the thick hair gene variant is less common:
- African Descent: People of African descent show a very low prevalence of the thick hair gene.
- European Descent: Similarly, those of European descent also have a very low occurrence of the gene.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Based on this, we can conclude that China (specifically the Han Chinese population), Japan, Thailand, and populations of Native American descent are likely to have more individuals with thick hair. This is not to say that everyone from these places has thick hair, or that people from other places don't have thick hair, but rather that the genetic trait is more prevalent in these specific populations.
| Population | Percentage with "Thick Hair" EDAR Gene |
|---|---|
| Han Chinese | >90% |
| Japanese | 70% |
| Thai | 70% |
| Native Americans | 60-90% |
| African Descent | Near 0% |
| European Descent | Near 0% |
It's important to remember that hair thickness is just one aspect of diversity and is influenced by a variety of genetic and environmental factors.
