Stature Prediction Equations Using Knee Height for Elderly Americans from NHANES III (1988–94)

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To present nationally representative equations for predicting stature in eldery non-hispanic whites, blacks and Mexican Americans for use in nutritional indices. Predicted values for stature are frequently needed for elderly persons in order to apply equations for estimating basal energy expenditure, subsequent nutrient needs and to calculate indices of nutritional status such as BMI. Anthropometric data for stature, knee height (knht) and sitting height were collected from a sex- and racial/ethnic-stratified sample of 4750 persons from the U.S. population (1369 non-Hispanic White men, 1472 non-Hispanic White women; 474 non-Hispanic Black men, 481 non-Hispanic Black women; 497 Mexican American men, 457 Mexican American women) 60 years of age or older in the NHANES III (1988-94). Sampling weights were used to adjust the individual data to account for unequal probabilities of selection, for non response and coverage errors to represent national probability estimates. Regression analysis was performed to predict stature in each sex and ethnic group, and the results cross validated. In the development of the new equations, the statistical model with knee height and age as predictor variables was chosen the best stature prediction equation in each sex-and racial/ethnic group. Significant regression estimates (p<.05) including regression coefficients, standard errors of the coefficients, R 2, RMSE, and the standard error for the individual (SEI) for the equations are presented in each sex- and racial/ethnic-specific group. This study presents new stature prediction equations for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American elderly persons developed from current nationally representative data. Supported by Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, OH, and by NIH grants HD-12252, HD-27023 and HL53404.