True height and variability in estimates thereof across race and gender

  • Christen Renée Lahner University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Susanna Maria Kassier University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: anthropometric measurements, estimates, gender, nutritional status, true height and variability, race

Abstract

Although standing height is the ideal indicator of a subject’s true height, numerous internal and external factors can have an effect on its accuracy. These factors include measurement error, the clinical environment, growth and a secular change in growth, and age. When the measurement of standing height is not possible estimation methods, such as recumbent length, knee height, ulna length, half arm span, total arm span, demi-span equation and the World Health Organization equation have been used as substitutes. However, the accuracy of these methods is questionable.

Author Biographies

Christen Renée Lahner, University of KwaZulu-Natal
MSc Diet; RD (SA) Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness Faculty of Science and Agriculture University of KwaZulu-Natal
Susanna Maria Kassier, University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD (UCT); RD (SA) Lecturer Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness Faculty of Science and Agriculture University of KwaZulu-Natal
Published
2016-03-20
How to Cite
Lahner, C., & Kassier, S. (2016). True height and variability in estimates thereof across race and gender. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 29(2), 64-68. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1091
Section
Review Articles