Prediction of stature from radiographic study of foot and hand in modern Saudi at Baha Province

Abstract

Background: Stature is necessary for medical and nutritional assessment in the living individual. Also, in Physical Anthropology and Forensic Medicine, determination of stature is an important parameter for personal identification along with others such as age and race. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between stature and foot and hand variables in both sexes through anthropometric and radiographic means. At the same time, prediction equations for estimating stature from foot and hand parameters were developed. Materials and Methods: Measurements of body weight, stature, foot length and breadth as well as hand length and breadth were taken from 400 randomly selected students in Al Baha University aged 19–22 years (290 male and 110 female). Plain X-ray for foot and hand was done for a subsample to measure the length and breadth of the metatarsals and metacarpals, respectively. Derived variables (body mass index, foot index, and stature/foot and hand ratios) were calculated from the measured variables. Results: Significant correlations were found between stature and many foot parameters. Low correlations were found between stature and hand parameters. Predictive regression equations were computed to estimate stature from foot and hand parameters. Conclusion: Predictive equations were computed to estimate stature from foot and hand variables. This would be useful in cases where stature cannot be measured in the living subjects or in cases of stature prediction in Physical Anthropology and Forensic Medicine.