The term "Mongoloid" historically referred to a racial classification used to describe people of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and some Indigenous peoples of the Americas. This classification was based on physical characteristics such as skin color, hair type, and facial features. However, it is now considered outdated and potentially offensive in contemporary discussions about race and ethnicity. Modern anthropology and genetics emphasize that human variation cannot be neatly categorized into distinct racial groups. Instead, researchers focus on understanding the complex interactions of genetics, culture, and environment that shape human diversity, moving away from terms like Mongoloid in favor of more accurate and respectful language.