[Definition and application of 8 anthropologic indices]

Quite recently, the existing 3 indices for the evaluation of human body constitution in adults have been supplemented by 5 further ones proposed by Komenda of the Institute of Medical Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine of the Palacký University of Olomouc, CSSR. This gives rise to considerations and comparisons of the now 8 indices the definitions of which are presented first. In contrast to the indices by Quetelet-Bouchard, Quetelet-Kaup-Gould and Rohrer-Buffon-Bardeen combining body weight W and a power of body height L, the Komenda group of indices comprises either interrelations of weight and chest circumference U or of all 3 somatic seizes. For reason of adequate interpretation, the transfer from chest circumference to chest cross-section of the elliptical against a circular form is investigated and assured. Thereafter, the range of application is extended to the whole process of development from birth to adulthood, using growth series of L, U, and W as given by Marcusson and Oehmisch and treated with growth specific approximations after models of Sager. As a result tables and graphs for the improved somatic values and the course of the 8 indices are given complemented by the U/L-curves for males and females.