Patterns in the within-population variability of stature and weight

An analysis has been undertaken of the comparative magnitudes of the within-population variability in stature and body weight as reported in the recent literature. The distributions of the variability have been investigated for patterns related to latitude, altitude, 'affluence' and the mean value of the measurements. It is shown that differences in stature variability are substantially explained by differences in mean stature only. This however, is not the case with weight variability where, in addition to the mean, there is evidence of independent effects of affluence, altitude, and especially latitude. In most populations the weight of females is more variable than that of males. This is considered to be due to their greater amounts of fat, and differing levels of fat may also explain much of the geographical patterns in weight variability.