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Adult height corrected for shrinking and secular trend.
R Niewenweg1, M L Smit, M J E Walenkamp
1Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Annals of Human Biology
|September 10, 2003
Summary
Mathematical formulas were developed to calculate adult height standard deviation scores (SDS), correcting for age-related height loss and generational changes. These equations reduce experimental noise in adult growth studies.
Area of Science:
- Anthropometry
- Human Growth and Development
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Accurate calculation of adult height standard deviation scores (SDS) requires comparison with age- and generation-specific height standards.
- Existing methods may not adequately correct for age-related height decline (shrinking) and secular trends in population height.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive mathematical formulas for calculating adult height SDS.
- To incorporate corrections for age-related height loss and secular trends into height SDS calculations.
Main Methods:
- Modeled age-related height decline using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
- Modeled the secular trend in height over 80 years using Dutch nationwide growth studies (1917-1997).
- Calculated the average coefficient of variation from recent Dutch growth studies.
Main Results:
- Generated equations to estimate adult height at age 21 based on current height and age for males and females.
- Established linear regression for mean height of 21-year-olds from 1917 to 1997.
- Determined the coefficient of variation for height to be approximately 3.8%.
- Provided the formula for adult height SDS: (A - B)/(0.038B), where A is estimated individual height at 21 and B is average height of 21-year-olds.
Conclusions:
- The developed mathematical formulas enable accurate calculation of adult height SDS.
- These equations are valuable for reducing experimental noise in studies involving adult height across different ages and generations.