- which included the quote from a 1952 publication by Daniels
- "There are limitations of percentiles to describe an individual or class of individuals. As Daniels (18) has demonstrated it is virtually impossible to find an individual who is “average” in more than a few body measurements. Anthropometrically, while the human body is the same in qualitative appearance within the species, there are considerable differences in the quantitative measures of the body. In statistical terms, there are relatively few dimensions that are highly correlated (“r”>.70) which means that the system varies in dimensional description within the same body and population.” (17) ."
18Daniels, The “Average Man”?, Wright Air Development Center, WPAFB, Tec Note WCRD 53-7, Dec 1952
- "There are limitations of percentiles to describe an individual or class of individuals. As Daniels (18) has demonstrated it is virtually impossible to find an individual who is “average” in more than a few body measurements. Anthropometrically, while the human body is the same in qualitative appearance within the species, there are considerable differences in the quantitative measures of the body. In statistical terms, there are relatively few dimensions that are highly correlated (“r”>.70) which means that the system varies in dimensional description within the same body and population.” (17) ."
Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2015–2018
- Analytical and Epidemiological Studies
- "This report provides the most recent anthropometric reference data for U.S. children and adults. Previous publications (23,24) have investigated trends over time, including one that showed that between 1999 and 2016, mean weight, waist circumference, and BMI in adults increased, while mean height did not change in many demographic subgroups (23). NHANES anthropometry data have been used in making decisions regarding health policy and programs (25–28), as well as regulatory decisions. For example, the increasing mid-upper arm circumferences found in children and adults have been used to formulate guidelines for health practitioners regarding the selection of blood pressure cuff sizes for blood pressure measurement (26,27). The Federal Aviation Administration used NHANES body measurement data in the determination of average passenger weights in its Advisory Circular on Aircraft Weight and Balance Control (29). Similarly, the U.S. Coast Guard looked at NHANES body weight data when considering passenger weight and vessel stability requirements (30). NHANES will continue to provide national reference values for weight, height, waist circumference, and other anthropometric measures of U.S. children, adolescents, and adults."
The reference also includes an Appendix.
Historical summary of published anthropometric reference data
- 1 Stoudt HW arland R, Roberts J.
- Weight, height, and selected body dimensions of adults.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(8). 1965.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_008.pdf.
- Weight, height, and selected body dimensions of adults.
- 2 Stoudt HW, Damon A, McFarland RA, Roberts J. Skinfolds,
- body girths, biacromial diameter, and selected anthropometric indices of adults: United States, 1960–1962.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(35). 1970.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_ ... 035acc.pdf.
- body girths, biacromial diameter, and selected anthropometric indices of adults: United States, 1960–1962.
- 3 Roberts J.
- Weight by height and age of adults: United States, 1960–1962.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(14). 1966.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_ ... 014acc.pdf.
- Weight by height and age of adults: United States, 1960–1962.
- 4 Malina RM, Hamill PVV, Lemeshow S.
- Selected body measurements of children 6–11 years: United States.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(123). 1973.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_ ... 123acc.pdf.
- Selected body measurements of children 6–11 years: United States.
- 5 Hamill PVV, Johnston FE, Lemeshow S.
- Height and weight of youths 12–17 years: United States.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(124). 1973.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_124.pdf.
- Height and weight of youths 12–17 years: United States.
- 6 Abraham S, Johnson CL, Najjar MF.
- Weight and height of adults 18–74 years of age: United States, 1971–74.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(211). 1979.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_211.pdf.
- Weight and height of adults 18–74 years of age: United States, 1971–74.
- 7 Johnson CL, Fulwood R, Abraham S, Bryner JD.
- Basic data on anthropometric measurements and angular measurements of the hip and knee joints for selected age groups 1–74 years of age: United States, 1971–1975.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(219). 1981.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_219.pdf.
- Basic data on anthropometric measurements and angular measurements of the hip and knee joints for selected age groups 1–74 years of age: United States, 1971–1975.
- 8 Najjar MF, Rowland M.
- Anthropometric reference data and prevalence of overweight: United States, 1976–80.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(238). 1987.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_238.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data and prevalence of overweight: United States, 1976–80.
- 9 McDowell MA, Fryar CD, Ogden CL.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 1988–1994.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(249). 2009.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_249.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 1988–1994.
- 10 McDowell MA, Fryar CD, Hirsch R, Ogden CL.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: U.S. population, 1999–2002.
Advance data from vital and health statistics; no 361. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2005.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad361.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: U.S. population, 1999–2002.
- 11 McDowell MA, Fryar CD, Ogden CL, Flegal KM.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2003–2006.
National health statistics reports; no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2008.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr010.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2003–2006.
- 12 Fryar CD, Gu Q, Ogden CL.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2007–2010.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(252). 2012.
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_252.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2007–2010.
- 13 Fryar CD, Gu Q, Ogden CL, Flegal KM.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2011–2014.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3(39). 2016.
Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_039.pdf.
- Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2011–2014.
- 14 Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as: BMI = weight (kilograms) / height (meters²).
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.