The angle of obesity: a simple measurement for body typing

Measurements of the angle at the xiphisternal notch was taken in 143 school children between the ages of six and fifteen years, the average being eight. The children were graded as thin (T), normal with a tendency to be thin (NT), normal (N), normal tending to be fat (NF), and fat (F). This trading was by visual assessment. The average angle was found to be 90 degrees. Those with lesser than the average angle tended to be thin and those with greater than the average angle tended to be fat. The smaller angled were considered to have a larger thorax and smaller abdomen and vice versa for the larger angled children. The significance of these findings to various diseases is discussed and the significance of measuring this angle.