The Estimation of Stature from Anthropometric and Photogrammetric Measurements of the Limbs

Abstract

Equations are presented for estimating the stature of a child from measurements of some limb segments (upper limb, upper arm, forearm, leg, hand or foot). Some 2378 sets of limb measurements were taken on boys and 1531 sets on girls within the age range four to 19 years. All were healthy participants and the three longitudinal studies were carried out at the Institute of Child Health, University of London. Both photogrammetric and anthropometric techniques of measurement were used. Simple and multiple regression analysis was used to create 38 photogrammetric and 36 anthropometric equations, giving the most likely estimated value for stature, together with the residual standard deviation from which confidence limits were calculated. Inclusion in the equation of several limb measurements improves the accuracy of such estimation. The errors in estimation using the present equations were significantly less than those associated with corresponding equations found in the literature and in current use.