Anthropometric measurements of 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old girls and boys. 1980

A M Morris, and J H Wilmore, and A E Atwater, and J M Williams

This study examined the physical size and subcutaneous body fat of 269 Caucasian boys and girls, ages 3, 4, 5, and 6. In addition to height, weight, and leg length, the measurements included seven diameter, eight circumference, and five skinfold measurements. The means and standard deviations for all anthropometric measurements are presented. When compared by age group, the children were significantly different (p < .01) on all physical size measurements, but not on the skinfold measurements. When the measurements were analyzed to determine significant sex differences, it was evident that, where differences existed, the boys' physical size measurements were larger than the girls', while on the other hand, the girls had a greater amount of subcutaneous body fat than did the boys. The anthropometric data reported in this study did not support the secular trend phenomenon, but substantiated the contention that between three and six years of age, the triceps skinfold measurement declines gradually for boys and remains stable for girls. In summary, it is imperative that anthropometric measurement standards be continually revised and kept current, and that when possible, children be individually evaluated for classification into groups and not classified solely on the basis of age and sex.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D001827 Body Height The distance from the sole to the crown of the head with body standing on a flat surface and fully extended. Body Heights,Height, Body,Heights, Body
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002508 Cephalometry The measurement of the dimensions of the HEAD. Craniometry
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000367 Age Factors Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time. Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age
D000886 Anthropometry The technique that deals with the measurement of the size, weight, and proportions of the human or other primate body.

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