Use of knee height for the estimation of body height in Thai adult women

Abstract

Knee height has been the most frequently used measure for height prediction where full height is difficult to measure. The aim of this study was to develop and validate predictive equations using knee height to estimate the height of Thai women. The female participants were 18-59 years of age and lived in Bangkok or three surrounding provinces. They were assigned to one of two groups; the equation development group (n=488) and the equation validation group (n=188). Standing height and knee height were measured in duplicate using a stadiometer and a knee height calliper. Age and physical characteristics of the equation development group and the validate group were comparable. The measured heights showed a significant strongly positive correlation with the mean knee height (r=0.84, p<0.001). Mean knee height in a regression model exhibited the most accurate height prediction (adjusted R2 =0.718, standard error of estimate = 2.80), according to the equation “Height = 38.1+2.45 (average knee height) – 0.051 (agar)”. This study proposes a new height estimate equation for Thai adult women using knee height. The equation shows more estimate power than the previous studies conducted in Thailand.