Weight-height indices in Thai adults.

A survey of 2008 healthy Thai adults, 15-88 years of age, was conducted in Bangkok and seven rural areas which fit the WHO criteria of reference population. The weight-height indices in the metric system for males and females respectively were 1. W : H or weight-height index : 34.5 + 4.8, 32.7 + 5.5 2. W : H2 or body mass index : 21.1 + 2.8, 21.4 + 3.5 3. W : H3 or Rohrer index : 12.9 + 1.8, 14.0 + 2.3 4. W0.33 : H or Ponderal index : 23.4 + 1.1, 24.0 + 1.3 5. H : W0.33 or Sheldon index : 42.9 + 1.9, 41.7 + 2.2 These weight-height indices showed significant sex, age and area differences probably due to the differences in cohort, and/or physical activity. Compared to the Americans, racial difference was also observed.