Estimation of Stature from Measurements of Superior Extremity in Western India.

As India has diverse environmental conditions in her regions, the different environmental condition must affect the growth and development of an individual may also affect the height achieved at adulthood. Total 504 volunteers of Western India were recruited in the study. Stature estimation equations were developed by single and multiple predictor models. Stature calculated in the present study was compared with earlier researchers. Evaluated with Pearson's correlation analysis all the eight measurements (Length of superior extremity, forearm and hand and breadth of hand on both sides) were positively correlated with stature. The strongest correlations were observed between superior extremity length and stature for all groups (combined r=0.886; males r=0.871; females r=0.950). Left superior extremity length had the lowest Standard error of estimation (SEE) for all groups (combined ±3.63cm; males ±2.736cm; females ±1.045cm) and coefficient of determination (R²) for the combined, males and female groups (78.6%, 76.1%, and 90.4% respectively) in single predictor linear regression model equation. In multiple regression model the highest accuracy (R²=0.908, SEE=1.381) was observed in the female when hand length and superior extremity length of the left side were used. Coefficients of determination (R²) obtained in this study were more than 70% in all the estimates except where hand breadth was involved. Predicted stature could be more accurate among females as compared to male. By single prediction model using superior extremity length was able to give the most accurate height, whereas, the accuracy improved as the number of predictors increased.