Abstract
Introduction: Height, like other phenotypic traits, is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is sexually dimorphic and statistically more or less normally distributed. Estimation of stature from measurements of various long bones of the extremities has been attempted by many scientists with varying degree of accuracy. All such calculations depend on the fact that limbs exhibit consistent ratios relative to the total height of a person. These ratios are linked to age, sex and race. Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between personal stature and foot length among a group of male and female Sri Lankan adults and to derive a regression formula between the foot length and height of an individual. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 medical students with an age span of 20-23 yrs. were included in the study. The foot length was measured using a sliding caliper capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01 mm. The height of the individual was measured standing erect, in anatomical position using a standing height measuring instrument. Results: The differences of the foot length between the genders were found to be highly significant. A positive correlation between height and foot length was observed in both sexes and it was statistically significant. Regression equation for stature estimation was formulated using the foot lengths for both sexes. Conclusion: The results indicate that foot length provides an accurate and reliable means in estimating the stature of an unknown individual. The regression formula derived in this study will be useful for anatomists, archeologists, anthropologists and forensic scientists. doi: 10.4038/gmj.v13i1.885 Galle Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2008 6-9
Highlights
Height, like other phenotypic traits, is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors
A positive correlation between height and foot length was observed in both sexes and it was statistically significant
Estimation of stature from measurements of upper limb and lower limb bones has been attempted by many scientists with varying degree of accuracy [2,3,4,5]. Those studies resulted in establishing formulae for the estimation of height from long bones for the respective populations as the relationship between the two parameters vary according to age, sex and race
Summary
Like other phenotypic traits, is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Estimation of stature from measurements of various long bones of the extremities has been attempted by many scientists with varying degree of accuracy All such calculations depend on the fact that limbs exhibit consistent ratios relative to the total height of a person. Estimation of stature from measurements of upper limb and lower limb bones has been attempted by many scientists with varying degree of accuracy [2,3,4,5] Those studies resulted in establishing formulae for the estimation of height from long bones for the respective populations as the relationship between the two parameters vary according to age, sex and race. All such calculations depend on the fact that limbs exhibit consistent ratios relative to the total height of a person 6. It has been shown that the reliability of prediction of height from foot measurements was as high as that from long bones [7,8]
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