Anthropometric 

Reference Data and 

Prevalence of 

Overweight 

United States, 1976-80 

This report presents descriptive data for 

selected anthropometric measurements 

and provides estimates of overweight and 

severe overweight by age, race, and sex. 

This information is from the second 

National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey, a national probability sample 

survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized 

population of the United States, that was 

conducted during the period 1976-80. 

Data From the National Health Survey 

Series 11, No. 238 

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 87-l 688 

U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services 

Public Health SetviceNational Center for Health Statistics 

Hyattsville, Md. 

October 1987 
National Center for Health Statistics 

Manning Feinleib, M.D., Dr.P.H., Director 

Robert A. Israel, Deputy Director 

Jacob J. Feldman, Ph.D., Associate Director for Analysis 

and Epidemiology 

George A. Schnack, Associate Director for Data Processing 

and Services 

Stephen E. Nieberding, Associate Director for Mnngement 

Gail F. Fisher, Ph.D., Associate Director for Planning and 

Extramural Programs 

Monroe G. Sirken, Ph.D., Associate Director for Research 

and Methodology 

Peter L. Hurley, Associate Director for vital and Health 

Statistics Systems 

Sandra Smith, Information officer 

Division of Health Examination Statistics 

Robert S. Murphy, Director 

Catherine E. Woteki, Ph.D., Deputy Director 

Kurt R. Maurer, Chiej Survey Planning and Development 

Branch 

Suzanne G. Haynes, Ph.D., Chief; Medical Statistics 

Branch 

Clifford L. Johnson, ChieJ Ncbtion Statistics Branch 

Cooperation of the U.S. Bureau of Census 

Under the legislation est‘ablishing the National Health Survey, the Public 

Health Service is authorized to use, insofar Las possible, the services or facilities of 

other Federal, State, or private agencies. 

In accordance with specifications established by the National Center for Health 

Statistics, the U.S. Bureau of the Census participated in the design and selection of 

the sample and carried out the initial household interview stage of the data collection and certain parts of the statistical processing. 
Contents 

Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 

Sources of data and analytical issues. ..................................................................... 3 

Sources ............................................................................................ 3 

Methods of measurement. ............................................................................ 3 

Analytical issues. .................................................................................... 4 

Selected findings ...................................................................................... 6 

References ........................................................................................... 8 

Listofdetailedtables .................................................................................. 10 

Appendixes 

I. Statistical notes ................................................................................... 58 

II. Data presentation and reliability .................................................................... 65 

III. Demographic and socioeconomic terms. .............................................................. 66 

IV. Recording form. .................................................................................. 67 

V. Body measurement equipment and procedures ................................. ....................... 69 

Symbols 

-me Data not available 

. . . Category not applicable 

Quantity zero 

0.0 Quantity more than zero but less 

than 0.05 

Z Qua‘ntity more than zero but less 

than 500 where numbers are 

rounded to thousands 

* Figure does not meet standards of 

reliability or precision (see 

Technical notes) 

. . . 

111 
Anthropometric Reference 

Data and Prevalence of 

Overweight 

by Matthew F. Najjar and Michael Rowland, 

Division of Health Examination Statistics 

Introduction 

Statistics on anthropometric measurements for the 

U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 6 months-74 

years of age are presented in tables in this report. Also 

presented here are estimates of the percents and numbers 

of overweight and severely overweight adults 20-74 years of 

age in the U.S. population. Overweight estimates were 

developed from stature and weight measurenients. Statistics are presented by age, sex, and race. The data in this 

report were collected by the National Center for Health 

Statistics (NCHS) through the second National Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II), conducted 

during 1976-8O.l NHANES II included a variety of measures of nutritional status and related health information. 

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is an expansion of the National Health Examination 

Survey. The surveys are designed to collect data by direct 

standardized examination of a sample of the population. 

Direct examinations, coupled with clinical tests and measurements, are the only source of prevalence data regarding 

previously undiagnosed and untreated diseases and are the 

best source of standardized clinical, physical, and physiological data. The three programs of the National Health 

Examination Survey (1959-70)2-4 focused on selected aspects of illness and health, each targeting a particular age 

group of the population. Data on height and weight, other 

body measurements, dental health, selected chronic conditions, vision and hearing levels, and other measures of 

health status were obtained in each survey. 

In 1971, responsibility for monitoring the nutritional 

status of the population was added to the National Health 

Examination Survey, which became the National Health 

and Nutrition Examination Survey. The first National 

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), 

conducted from April 1971 through June 1974, was designed to assess overall health status, with particular emphasis on dental health, skin problems, eye conditions, and 

the nutritional status of the population l-74 years of age? 

Adults 25-74 years of age were examined to determine the 

prevalence of chronic lung disease; disabling arthritis of the 

hip, knee, or lower spine; cardiovascular disease; and hearing levels. In addition, information was obtained on health 

care needs and general well-being. This segment of the 

NHANES I program was followed by a 15-month period 

(July 1974.October 1975) in which an additional national 

sample of persons 25-74 years of age was given the detailed 

examination to augment the size of the sample originally 

included in NHANES I. This study is referred to as the 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Augmentation Cycle.6 

The second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1976 through 1980, is the 

source of data for this report. NHANES II data provide an 

opportunity to assess the population’s health and nutritional status cross-sectionally and to assess some aspects of 

change over time? Components of nutritional status measurement were included in a physician’s examination, a 

medical history questionnaire, body measurements, laboratory assessments of blood samples, and a dietary interview. 

Also included in NHANES II were tests and procedures 

that provided data on diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, certain allergies, disc degeneration, pulmonary function, hearing and speech problems, and 

exposure to certain potentially toxic substances. 

The anthropometric measurements included in this 

report are useful for many health, research, and applied 

purposes. These nationally representative reference distributions are invaluable as population parameters both to 

describe the physique of the child and adult populations at 

a point in time and to evaluate time trends within the 

population by comparison with earlier and later surveys. 

Weight-height data are used in studies of nutritional status 

or requirements. (Researchers in nutritional monitoring or 

surveillance programs are referred to two publications of 

the World Health Organization7P8 that recommend the use 

of NCHS growth curves’ of weight and stature as a reference for international as well as racial and ethnic comparisons of prepubescent children.) These data also serve as an 

index for estimating overweight, a recognized risk factor for 

noninsulin dependent diabetes, hypertension, and coronary 

artery heart disease.” The body measurement distributions 

tabulated from NHANES data have also been found useful 

in the areas of human engineering and clothing manufacturing. 

As previously mentioned, NCHS collected body measurement data during Cycles I, II, and III of the National 

Health Examination Survey2-4 and the first National 
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 5y6 Data were 

collected in 1960-62 for adults ages 18-79 years (Cycle I), in 

1963-65 for children ages 6-11 years (Cycle II), in 1966-70 

for youths ages 12-17 years (Cycle III), and in 1971-75 for 

persons ages l-74 years (NHANES I). Readers interested 

in acquiring any of the NCHS reports relating to information from these surveys should consult the Current Listing 

and Topical Index to th.e Vital and Health Statistics Series, 

1962.7811 and the NCHS catalogs of publications for 

1979.8312 and 1983-84.13 

The anthropometric data from the Health Examination 

Survey and National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey have been coded, edited, and released on microdata 

tapes. Persons interested in more detailed analysis can 

purchase these tapes from the National Technical Information Service.14 
Sources of data and 

analytical issues 

Sources 

The second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from February 1976 through February 1980, is the most recent in a series of national health 

examination surveys conducted by NCHS. The target population for the survey was the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population 6 months-74 years of age of the United States 

(including Alaska and Hawaii). The entire NHANES II 

sample consisted of 27,801 persons, 91 percent of whom 

were interviewed. Of these, 20,322 were interviewed and 

examined, resulting in a response rate of 73.1 percent. 

More detail on the sample design and conduct of the survey 

is presented in appendix I. (Other data collection and 

analytic issues are presented in appendixes II-V.) 

All interviews, examinations, tests, procedures, and 

laboratory determinations were performed following standardized protocols. NHANES II, like previous examination 

surveys, consisted of two components. Household interviews comprised the first component and the second consisted of physical examinations and additional interviews in 

examination centers. 

The household interview component involved collecting socioeconomic and demographic information from the 

family and sample persons within the family and completing 

a medical history questionnaire for sample persons. The 

U.S. Bureau of the Census performed the initial household 

interviews and aided in the scheduling of appointments for 

examination. 

The examination component was performed in mobile 

examination centers specially designed for this study. The 

examination, environment, and equipment were standardized to minimize differences in findings among sample 

locations. The full-time examination teams were specifically 

trained to follow the study protocols, which provided for 

standardization and evaluation of their performance. The 

examination consisted of a series of standardized tests and 

procedures that included the following: 

l A general medical examination and screening by a physician, including additional medical history information. 

l Body measurements. 

l A dietary interview. 

l Selected diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms and 

x rays, speech and hearing, allergies, and pulmonary 

function. 

l Laboratory tests on whole blood, serum, and urine specimens. 

Thus, NHANES II provided the opportunity to assess 

key aspects of the population’s health and nutritional status 

during a 4-year period and to assess changes over time in 

the U.S. population. 

Methods of measurement 

NHANES II was staffed by two highly trained examination teams and equipped with three mobile examination 

centers, which could be moved to a central location in each 

of the primary sampling units. Selected sample persons for 

whom appointments could be made were brought into the 

examination centers. There, examinees changed from their 

street clothing into disposable paper examination uniforms 

and foam rubber slippers designed to facilitate and standardize various elements of the examination. 

Body measurements were made at various times of the 

day and in different seasons of the year. Thus diurnal and 

seasonal variations in body measurements were not standardized. One’s weight may vary between winter and summer and may fluctuate with recency of food and water 

intake and other daily activities. 

When possible, measurements of elbow breadth, upper 

arm girth, and skinfolds were taken on the right side of the 

body. Additional measurements on the left side were done 

on a systematic sample of approximately 20 percent of the 

examined persons. These measurements were collected for 

quality control purposes and were not intended to be 

representative of the U.S. population. Left-side measurements were also taken if the right side could not be used 

because of casts, amputations, or other reasons. 

Detailed explanations of the procedures used to determine the body measurements included in this report, which 

are described briefly in this section, are found in appendix 

V . 

Standing height 

Standing height was measured with the examinee wearing disposable foam rubber slippers, standing erectly with 

feet together, back and heels against the upright bar of the 

height scale, and head in the Frankfort Horizontal Plane. 

Assistance and demonstration were provided when necessary (“Look straight ahead, ” “Stand up tall,” or “Stand up 

3 
real straight”). The examiner exerted gentle upward pressure on the subject’s mastoid process, as recommended by 

some. 

The equipment consisted of a level platform to which 

was attached a vertical bar with a steel tape. Attached 

perpendicularly to the vertical bar was a horizontal measuring bar, which was brought down snugly on the examinee’s 

head. A Polaroid camera was attached to another sliding 

bar in the same plane as the horizontal measuring bar. The 

camera recorded the subject’s identification number next to 

the pointer on the scale, thereby giving a precise reading. 

The camera not only gave a permanent record, minimizing 

observer and recording errors, but, by always being in the 

same plane as the measuring bar, completely eliminated 

parallax. (An observer reading a pointer in the space in 

front of the scale could read it too high if looking up at the 

scale from below or too low if reading down from above.) 

Weight 

Examinees were weighed on a Toledo self-balancing 

scale that mechanically printed weight (exact to quarterpound intervals) directly onto the permanent record. Direct 

printing was used to minimize observer and recording 

errors. The scale was calibrated with a set of known weights 

and any necessary fine adjustments were made at the 

beginning of each new examination location, approximately 

every month. The recorded weight was later transferred 

onto a punched card. The weight of clothing worn, ranging 

from 0.20 to 0.62 pound, was not deducted from weights 

presented in this report. Thus, weights shown here are 0.20 

to 0.62 pound above nude weight recorded to the nearest 

quarter pound. The same examination clothing was used 

throughout the year, thus eliminating seasonal variation. 

Skinfolds 

As recommended by the Committee on Nutritional 

Anthropometry of the National Research Council,” skinfolds were measured with a Lange skinfold caliper. (See 

appendix V for a description of the calibration procedure.) 

The measurement of skinfold thickness is one of a 

number of methods used to determine the body fatness of 

individuals?’ 8 In a field survey, the use of skinfold measurements has distinct advantages over more sophisticated 

laboratory techniques. Skinfold measurements do not require elaborate, expensive, or time-consuming procedures, 

and they are recommended as an integral element in body 

composition research, particularly for field studies.lg The 

skinfold measurement approach involves measuring a double fold of subcutaneous tissue plus skin, which is pulled 

away from the underlying muscle tissue at a predetermined 

site on the body. It is the easiest approach to estimating 

body fat. 

An evaluation of the NHANES II measurement error 

for triceps and subscapular skinfolds (two measures of 

upper body fat) has shown the data to have an acceptable 

level of reliability. However, reliability is less for large 

skinfolds (more than 30 millimeters) than for smaller 

skinfolds. 

4 

Breadths and circumferences 

Two direct anthropometric measures of skeletal structure were taken-elbow and bitrochanteric breadth. Midupper-arm circumference, a composite measure of bone, 

muscle, and fat, was also included. Head and chest circumferences were included for children 6 months-7 years of age 

as reference data in identifying early protein-calorie deficiency. See appendix V for further details regarding measurement protocol. 

Analytical issues 

Weighting procedures 

The estimates presented in this report were weighted 

to be national population estimates. Weighting was accomplished by inflating examination findings for each examined 

person by the reciprocal of selection probabilities adjusted 

to account for persons who were not examined and poststratifying by race, sex, and age. As a result of poststratification adjustments, the population estimates closely 

approximate the independent U.S. Bureau of the Census 

estimates for the civilian noninstitutionalized population of 

the United States at the midpoint of the survey (March 1, 

1978). 

Population estimates 

The age, sex, and race distributions of the U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized population at the midpoint of the survey and the distribution of the probability sample drawn 

from the survey are presented in appendix I. The prevalence estimates shown in the detailed tables can be applied 

to the population distribution given in tables III and IV of 

appendix I to obtain the corresponding population estimates. For example, an estimate of 24.2 percent for men 

ages 20-74 years who are overweight (table l), when expressed as a proportion and multiplied by the number of 

men ages 20-74 years (63,611,OOO from table IV in appendix I), gives an estimate of 15.4 million overweight men. 

Reliability of estimates 

Estimates of percents, means, standard deviations, and 

nine selected percentiles (5th, lOth, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 

85th, 90th, and 95th) are presented for each measurment. 

Estimates of percentiles are stable only if the sample size is 

sufficiently large. The sample size was sufficiently large for 

most subgroups; the few exceptions are indicated with an 

asterisk. See appendix II for a discussion of data presentation and reliability. 

Cross-sectional nature of data 

The cross-sectional data on body measurements were 

obtained from persons of different ages who represent 

different birth cohorts. The age trends show the body 

measurement values for successive birth cohorts of persons 

who were of different ages when examined and, thus, reflect 

the effect of different enviromental and hereditary influences. The limitations of cross-sectional data in contrast to 

longitudinal data are recognized in considering changes 

with age. 
Age of examinee a label for each age group in the tables is the integer 

referring to age at last birthday at the time of interview. 

The chronologic age at the time of interview was the Hence, "10 years” refers to all children 10.00 through 10.99 

age criterion for inclusion in the sample. The value used as years, with an approximate mean value of 10.50 years. 
Selected findings 

Some important anthropometric findings by age and 

sex for children and by age, sex, and race for adults are 

summarized in this section. Comparisons in this report are 

based on medians because the marked skewness of many of 

the distributions shown here suggests that use of the median gives a better measure of central tendency than use of 

the mean. In tables showing cumulative percent distributions of height and weight and distributions of height by 

weight, magnitudes are shown for cells when the sample 

size is so small that the sampling error may be several times 

as great as the statistic itself. In such instances, the statistic 

has no meaning except to indicate that the true quantity is 

small. Such numbers, if shown, have been included to 

convey an impression of the overall table. 

Overweight was defined in terms of the body mass 

index (BMI), which was determined by dividing weight in 

kilograms by height in meters squared. Overweight was 

defined as a BMI equal to or greater than that at the 85th 

percentile of men and women ages 20-29 years. Severe 

overweight was defined as a BMI equal to or greater than 

that at the 95th percentile. Men fell into the overweight 

category when their BMI equaled or exceeded 27.8; they 

fell into the severely overweight category when the index 

equaled or exceeded 31.1. For women, these cutoff points 

were 27.3 and 32.3, respectively. The rationale for using 

persons 20-29 years of age as the reference population was 

that most young adults are relatively lean; the increase in 

body weight that usually occurs as men and women age is 

due almost entirely to fat accumulation.21y22 

Although the criteria used here for overweight and 

severe overweight were not derived from the morbidity or 

mortality experience of the surveyed population, they are 

fairly consistent with other criteria that do have a basis in 

morbidity or mortality data. The NHANES II criterion 

values of overweight correspond approximately to 20 percent above desirable weight in the 1983 Metropolitan Life 

Insurance Company tables (using the midpoint of the range 

for a medium-build person)?3y24 The criterion values of 

severe overweight correspond approximately to 40 percent’ 

above desirable weight. A National Institutes of Health 

Consensus Development Panel has stated that a body 

weight 20 percent or more above desirable body weight 

constitutes an established health hazard.” 

The following statements highlight the findings for 

overweight and severe overweight in adults 20-74 years of 

age (tables 1, 2, and IV): 

l About 34 million U.S. adults (25.7 percent) are overweight. 

l Approximately 15 million men (24.2 percent) and 19 

million women (27.1 percent) are overweight. 

l The prevalence of overweight is much higher for black 

women than for white women (43.8 percent versus 25.1 

percent). However, the prevalence is about the same for 

black men and white men (25.7 percent and 24.4 percent, 

respectively). 

l About 13 million adults (9.4 percent) are severely overweight. 

l Approximately 5 million men (8.0 percent) and 8 million 

women (10.8 percent) are severely overweight. 

* The percent of black women who are severely overweight 

is almost twice that for white women (19.3 percent versus 

9.8 percent). The prevalence for black men (10.2 percent) is somewhat greater than that for white men (7.8 

percent). 

Findings for selected anthropometric measures are also 

presented (tables 3-47). These findings do not constitute an 

exhaustive attempt to describe the detailed tables in this 

report. 

l The median weights for males and females ages 18-74 

years are 169.6 pounds and 137.8 pounds; respectively 

(tables 4 and 5). 

l Median weight is greater for white than black males 

(170.6 pounds versus 166.1 pounds). However, median 

weight is greater for black than white females (149.6 

pounds versus 137.0 pounds). 

l The median heights for men and women 18-74 years of 

age are 69.1 inches and 63.7 inches, respectively (tables 

13 and 14). 

l Median height is similar for white and black men (69.2 

inches, compared with 69.1 inches) and for white and 

black women (63.7 inches, compared with 63.8 inches). 

l Median sitting height, shown in tables 20 and 21, is 

greater in white men than black men-926 centimeters 

(cm) and 89.7 cm, respectively. Similarly, it is greater in 

white women (86.5 cm) than black women (84.1 cm). 

l After age 12, median triceps skinfold values for females 

substantially exceed those for males (tables 29-31). The 

difference ranges from 6.0 to 15.0 millimeters (mm). 

l Median triceps skinfold for white men ages 18-74 years is 

greater than that for black men-12.0 mm versus 10.0 

mm. However, median triceps skinfold for black women 

6 
exceeds that for white women-25.5 mm versus 23.5 mm 

(tables 30 and 31). 

l Median subscapular skinfold for females exceeds that for 

males in each age group 2 through 74 years (tables 

32-34). 

o For adults 18-74 years, the difference between the sexes 

in median subscapular skinfold is about one-fourth the 

difference observed in median triceps skinfold (tables 

29-34). 

l Median subscapular skinfold for white men 18-74 years 

is greater than that for black men-15.5 mm versus 14.0 

mm. However, median skinfold for black women exceeds 

that for white women-25.0 mm versus 17.0 mm (tables 

33 and 34). 

l For the age range 6-74 years, the percent of persons 

reporting that they are left handed decreases with each 

succeeding age category (table 47). 
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“M G Kendall and A. Stuart: The Advanced Theory of 

Statis& Vol. I, Distribution Theoy, 2d ed. London. Charles 

Griffin and Company Ltd., 1963. 

“R. S. Woodruff: Simple method for approximating variance of 

a complicated estimate. .I. Am. Statis. Rssoc. 66:411-414, June 

1971. 

“D H Freeman and D. B. Brock: The role of the covariance 

matrix estimation in the analysis of complex sample survey data, 

in N. K. Namboodiri, ed., Survey Sampling and Measurement, 

Symposium on Swvey Sampling University of North Carolina, 2d 

ed. New York. Academic Press, 1978. 

‘*National Center for Health Statistics: Examination Staff 

Procedures Manual for the Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey, 1976.1979, Part 15a. Public Health Service. Hyattsville, 

Md., Aug. 1979. 
List of detailed tables 

Weight and height 13. 

1. 

2, 

3, 

4, 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

10 

Percent of overweight persons 20-74 years of age and 

number examined, by race, sex, and age: United States, 

1976-so...................................... 

Percent of severely overweight persons 20-74 years of 

age and number examined, by race, sex, and age: 

United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Weight in pounds for persons 6 months-19 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 

1976-so...................................... 

Weight in pounds for males 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Weight in pounds for females 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Weight in kilograms for persons 6 months-19 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Weight in kilograms for males 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976980...................................... 

Weight in kilograms for females 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Body mass index (kilograms divided by height in meters 

squared) for persons 2-19 years of age-number 

examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 1976.80 . . . . 

Body mass index (kilograms divided by height in meters 

squared) for males 18-74 years of age-number 

examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80. . . . 

Body mass index (kilograms divided by height in meters 

squared) for females 18-74 years of age-number 

examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80. . . . 

Height in inches for persons 2-19 years of age-number 

examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . 

12 

13 15. 

14 16. 

15 17. 

16 18. 

17 19. 

18 20. 

19 

21. 

22. 

20 

23. 

21 

24. 

22 

25. 

23 

14. 

Height in inches for males 18-74 years of age-number 

examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80. . . . 

Height in inches for females 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Height in centimeters for persons 2-19 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 

1976-80...................................... 

Height in centimeters for males 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Height in centimeters for females 18-74 years of agenumber examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Recumbent length in centimeters for persons 6 

months-3 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . 

Sitting height in centimeters for persons 2-19 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Sitting height in centimeters for males 18-74 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Sitting height in centimeters for females 18-74 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

Crown-rump length in centimeters for persons 6 

months-3 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Cumulative percent distribution of weight in pounds for 

males 18-74 years of age, according to age: Ubited 

States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Cumulative percent distribution of weight in pounds for 

females 18-74 years of age, according to age: United 

States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Cumulative percent distribution of height in inches for 

males 18-74 years of age, according to age: United 

States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

33 

34 

35 
26. 

27. 

28. 

Cumulative percent distribution of height in inches for 

females 18-74 years of age, according to age: United 

States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Number of males 18-74 years of age by weight and 

height: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Number of females 18-74 years of age, by weight and 

height: United States, 1976-80 . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

t 

Skinfolds 

29. Triceps skinfold in millimeters for persons 6 months-19 

years of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and age: 

’ United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

‘30. Triceps skinfold in millimeters for males 18-74 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

‘selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 

31. Triceps skinfold in millimeters for females 18-74 years 

of age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, 

and selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

-1976080...................................... 

32. Subscapular skinfold in millimeters for persons 6 

months-19 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

‘age: United States,1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

33. Subscapular skinfold in millimeters for males 18-74 

.years - of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and age: 

United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

34. Subscapular skinfold in millimeters for females 18-74 

years - of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and age: 

United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Circumferences and breadths 

35. Mid-upper arm circumference in centimeters for 

persons 6 months-19 years of age-number examined, 

mean, standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by 

sex and age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

36. Mid-upper arm circumference in centimeters for males 

18-74 years of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and age: 

United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

43 

44 

45 

46 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41, 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 

Mid-upper arm circumference; in centimeters , for I 

females 18-74 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and 

age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Chest circumference (erect) in centimeters for persons 

2-7 years of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and age: 

United States, 1976-80. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Chest circumference (supine) in centimeters for persons 

6 months-3 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Head circumference in centimeters for persons 6 

months-7 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

age:‘United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Bitrochanteric breadth in centimeters for persons 6 

months-19 years of age-number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and 

age: United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Bitrochanteric breadth in centimeters for males 18-74 

years of age-number examined, mean; standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and age: 

United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Bitrochanteric breadth in centimeters for females 18-74 

years of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by race and age: 

United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

Elbow breadth in centimeters for persons 6 months-19 

years of age-number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and age: 

United States, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 

Elbow breadth in centimeters for males 18-74 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 54 

Elbow breadth in centimeters for females 18-74 years of 

age-number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 

197680...................................... 55 

Handedness 

47. Handedness for persons 6 months-74 .years of agenumber examined and percent distribution by hand 

preference, according to sex and age: United States, 

1976080...................................... 56 

11 
Table I. Percent of overweight persons 20-74 years of age and number examined, by race, sex, and 

age: Unlted States, 19X-80 

Sex and age 

All races l/ White Black 

1 

Number of Number of Number of 

exam i ned examined exam i ned 

persons Percent persons Percent persons Percent 

Both sexes 

20-74 years ....................... 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

25-34 years ....................... 

35-44 years ....................... 

45-54 year6 ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

Male 

11,765 25.7 IO, 214 24.8 

a . . 25,6 . . . 24.6 

2,551 14.9 2,155 14. I 

1,372 11.7 1,169 11.2 

2,188 20.2 

1,58f 27.9 

1,453 31.7 

2,556 32.8 

2.615 32.7 

20-74 years ....................... 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

25-34 years ....................... 

35-44 years ....................... 

45-54 years ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

Female 

5,604 24.2 

. . . 24.4 

1,261 15.1 1,072 15.3 $60 12.1 

676 12.1 581 12.7 79 5.5 

1,067 

745 

690 

1,227 

1) 199 

20-74 years ....................... 6,161 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... . . . 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

I.290 

696 

25-34 years ....................... 

35-44 years ....................... 

45-54 years ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

I, 123 20.0 957 17.9 

836 27.0 718 24.8 

763 32.5 647 29.9 

i ,329 37.0 1,176 34.0 

1,416 38.5 I, 245 36.5 

1,858 19.4 

1,371 26.4 

1,264 30.2 

2,262 31 .s 

2,290 31.9 

1,326 

. . . 

334 

168 

35.7 

36.6 

20.6 

15.3 

26.3 

40.8 

52. I 

44.2 

46.0 

279 

373 

162 

264 

280 

20.4 

28.9’ 

31 .o 

28.1 

25.2 

4,883 24.4 

24.4 

607 25.7 

. . . . . . 26.3 

17.5 

40.9 

41.4 

26.0 

26.4 

901 20.9 

653 28.2 

617 30.5 

I.086 28.6 

1,045 25.8 

139 

70 

62 

129 

120 

27.1 5,331 

26.7 . . . 

25.1 

24.6 

14.8 1,083 12.9 

11.4 588 9.6 

719 

. . . 

174 

89 

140 

103 

100 - 

135 

152 

43.8 

45.1 

27.4 

23.7 

33.5 

40.8 

61.2 

59.4 

60.8 

I/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

2/ Age adjusted by the direct method to the midpoint of the total 1976-80 survey population 20-74 

years of age using 6 age groups. 

NOTES: Excludes pregnant women. 

Overweight is deftned as a sex-specific body mass fndex (kilograms dlvlded by height in meters 

squared) equal to or hfgher than the 85th percentile for examtnees 20-29 years of age. 

12 
Table 2. Percent of severely overweight persons 20-74 years of age and number examined, by race, 

sex, and age: United States, 1976-80 

A17 races I/ Whl te Black 

Number of Number of Number of 

examined exam i ned exam I ned 

Sex and age persons Percent t persons Percent persons Percent 

Both sexes 

20-74 years ....................... 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

25-34 years.. ..................... 

35-44 years ....................... 

45-54 years ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

Male 

20-74 years ....................... 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... 

. 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

25-34 years ....................... 

35-44 years....: .................. 

45-54 years ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

Female 

20-74 years ....................... 

20-74 years, age adjusted 2/ .... 

20-29 years ....................... 

20-24 years .................... 

25-34 years ....................... 

35-44 years ....................... 

45-54 years ....................... 

55-64 years ....................... 

65-74 years ....................... 

11,765 

. . . 

2,551 

1,372 

2.188 

I ,581 

1,453 

2,556 

2,615 

9.4 

9.3 

7.7 

40.6 

11.8 

11.8 

11.1 

5,604 

a . . 

1,261 

676 

1,067 

745 

690 

1,227 

1,199 

4.9 

4.2 

6.7 

8.9 

to.3 

9.2 

8.4 

6, t61 

. . . 

1,290 

696 

1,121 

836 

763 

1,329 

1,416 

10.8 

10.6 

4.9 

3.5 

8.8 

12.1 

32.9 

14.2 

13.3 

10,214 

. . . 

2,455 

1,168 

1,858 

t ,371 

t,264 

2,262 

2,290 

8.9 

8.8 

4.7 

3.9 

7.1 

9.3 

11.5 

13.2 

10.5 

4,88’3 

1,072 

581 

901 

653 

617 

1,086 

$,045 

1,083 

588 

957 

718 

647 

1,176 

1,245 

7.8 

7.8 

5-o 

4.3 

6.7 

8.3 

10.7 

8.7 

8.4 

9.8 

9.6 

1,326 

8 . . 

334 

168 

279, 

173 

162 

264 

280 

7.5 

4.6 

12.2 

22.2 

t7.3 

18.5 

19.3 

607 

. . . 

160 

79 

139 

70 

62 

129 

128 

10.2 

10.4 

5.5 

4.2 

6.5 

17.1 

12.0 

12.8 

to.4 

719 

. . . 

t74 

89 

19.3 

19.7 

9.0 

4.9 

16.9 

26.3 

21 .s 

23.3 

26.1 

I/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

2/ Age adjusted by the direct method to the midpoint of the total 1976-80 survey population 20-74 

years of age using 6 age groups. 

NOTES: Excludes pregnant women. 

Severe overweight is defined as a sex-speciftc body mass index (kilograms divided by hejght in 

meters squared) equal to or higher than the 95th percentHe for examinees 20-29 years of age. 

73 
2 P T8bb 3. Weight in pounds for persons 6 nonths-$9 years of age--number examIn&, mean, standard devfatlon, and se1 ected percent i les, 

by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

1 I 1 1 

Sex and age 

m 

I I I I 

I Number of I I I 

Percentile 

I exam i ned I I I 1 1 

I 

I Standard , 

I 1 1 I 1 I 

I 

! 

persons I Mean I deviation 5th I 10th I 15th I I I I I I 

I I I I 

25th 

I 

50th 

I 

75th 

I 

85th 

1 

90th 

I 

95th 

I I 

Male 

6-U months.-~......-.-....~. 

i year ...................... 

2 years ...................... 

3 years.........-.....-..-.-. 

4 years ...................... 

5 years ...................... 

6 years ...................... 

7 years ...................... 

8 years ....................... 

9 years ...................... 

10 yQarS..................- .. 

$1 years..........-.....- .... 

12 years ..................... 

f3 years..........-.-..- ..... 

14 years..- .................. 

15 years ..................... 

16 years ..................... 

17 years..--..- .............. 

18 years ..................... 

39 years ..................... 

fenlale 

479 20.7 2.8 16.5 16.8 18.0 19.0 20.8 22.3 23.5 24.0 25.3 

370 26-O 4.2 21.3 22.0 22.8 23.8 25.8 27.8 29.0 30.0 31.8 

375 29.9 3.7 24.5 25.5 26.0 27.8 29.8 32.0 33.5 34.8 36.5 

418 34.5 4.3 28.5 29.8 30.8 31-8 34.1 37.0 38.3 39.6 42.0 

404 39.2 5.6 31 .o 33.0 33.8 35.3 38.8 42.0 44.0 46.0 49.0 

397 43.7 6.5 35.3 37.0 37.8 39.0 42.% 47.0 50.5 52.3 56-O 

$33 50-6 8-B 41 .o 42.3 43.8 44.8 48.6 53.1 58.3 62.5 66.4 

f48 55.3 8.5 43-5 45.8 46.8 49.0 54.8 59.3 62.3 65.3 74.8 

147 62.3 33.7 45.1 50.0 52.0 54.3 60.8 66.0 72.8 7%.4 86.3 

145 68.7 13-9 53.0 56-5 57.3 59.8 66-5 72.8 78.0 85.3 95.1 

35-7 80.3 17.0 60.0 62 ,.3 65.3 69-4 76.8 86-6 96.0 402.0 117-.8 

ES 38.7 22.3 59.1 63.5 70.0 73.8 82-3 i02.5 114.8 125.8 134.6 

i45 97.5 22.3 67.8 71.8 78.1 83.3 93.8 307.6 i15.9 $30.0 149. I 

f?3 MO.0 27.2 38.0 81.6 84.5 88.4 io6i0 $24.1 132.0 141.6 154.4 

186 125.9 24.3 $0.3 9a.1 102.4 109.8 124.3 139.7 145.9 352 .O 170.0 

184 j34.S 24.2 101.9 108.3 411.6 119.6 132.6 743.3 151.7 i6O. 5 179.4 

778 148-O 27.3 113.4 1‘19.8 123.6 329-4 142. I 162.5 172.2 i8I .3 201-2 

473 i47,0 25.3 ii1.8 i-17.8 120.8 i29,7 145. I 159.0 169.3 f81.6 196.0 

f64 156.6 28.0 119.3 124.8 133- I 136-6 i55.3 469.0 176.4 184.2 210. i 

g48 75%. 1 25.6 123.3 i27.8 133.6 MO-9 153.2 171.7 185.9 191.4 203.2 

6-11 mOnqhs........~~ ........ 177 19.4 2.7 14.5 16.0 16.5 )7,5 19.5 20.8 22.3 23.0 24.0 

-i year ...................... 336 23.8 3.1 19.5 20.0 20.8 21.8 23.5 25.8 27.3 28.0 29.5 

2 years....**..-~.~...-...~ .. 336 28.6 3.4 23.8 24-8 25.5 26.5 28.0 30.5 32.0 32.8 35.0 

3 years ...................... 366 32.8 4.6 25.0 27.0 28.5 29.5 32.6 35.5 37.5 38.5 40.5 

4 years....-.-.......-....- .. 396 37.4 5.2 30.3 31.5 32.1 33.5 36.8 40”5 42.5 44.5 46.6 

5 ye8rS...............~.~ .... 364 43.2 7.2 33.8 35.6 36.8 38. I 41.8 46.8 50.3 54.5 58.5 

6 years..-................- .. f35 48.8 8.9 37.6 39.3 41 .o 42.5 47.0 52.5 58.5 63.8 65.3 

7 years ...................... 157 54.5 i-Lo 42.3 43.0 43.8 47.3 52.5 59.8 63.3 66.8 75.0 

8 years...........- .......... 123 61 A 12-5 47.3 49.3 51.3 53.8 60.8 66.5 69.1 73.3 80.5 

9 yQ8rs ...................... f49 70.4 18.4 50.6 55.1 57.0 59.5 65.5 74. I 86.8 95.5 106.9 

90 years..-.--....- .......... 136 79.6 17.7 56.8 60.5 64-O 68.3 76.-l B.7 .O 97.5 I01 -0 109.5 

II years ..................... 140 92.2 24.0 65.8 66.9 69.1 74.8 89.0 101. I 112.6 124.8 132.4 

f2 years ..................... 447 102-4 22-2 71.3 37.3 81.f 86.3 luQ.1 1#6.1 128.2 133.4 141.9 

13 years......--...-.-..----. 162 112.3 25-9 78. f 86. f 88.9 97.3 108. I 121.8 i34.3 146.6 168.3 

44 years ..................... 178 120.8 24.5 88.8 94.5 96.3 104.6 317.1 133.1 145.0 149. I 165.8 

35 years......-..- ........... i45 121.5 21.5 97.4 99.5 f02.6 106.3 117.6 $31.6 137.2 444.5 16E5.9 

f6 years ..................... 170 i28.U 22.3 97-3 io4.3 fp?,. 8 f13.1 122.6 137.8 i52.0 f6i .6 169.4 

37 years ..................... 134 i31.4 25-Q 98.1 107.8 Mi.3 115.1 1’28 .8 139.8 150.8 157.9 180.3 

18 years ..................... 470 )30-O 24.5 99.B 109.3 112.0 $16.6 124 -5 139-Q 145.5 154.7 172.1 

f9 y8~r5............~ ........ 158 132.6 24.3 107.,O fQ9.6 v4.0 f18.9 126-O 142. I 155.8 165.1 172.3 

NOTE: includes clothing weight, est _ {mated as ranging from O-20 to O.£. 

, . 

, -* _ 

. . .” ’ ’ , ‘_ . a_ “. 
Table 4. Weight in pounds for males 18-74 years of age--number examined. mean, standard deviation. and selected percentiles, by race 

and age: United States, 3976-80 

Race and age 

I I I I 

I Number of 1 I I Percentile 

I examined I 1 l Standard I I I I I I I I I 

I persons I Mean deviation I I 

I I I I 5th I 10th I 15ih I 

I I 25th I I I I I I 

50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

All races 1/ 

18-74 years...............,... 5,916 

18-24 years...............,,, 

25-34 years..... 

35-44 years.. . . . 

45-54 years.. . . 

55-64 years,. . . 

65-74 years.. . . 

. . . . . . . . ...*. 

.I........... 

m...*....-..* 

. . . . . ..--.... 

..---..-I.... 

988 162.7 28.0 125.3 133.2 136.7 142.9 150.8 177 .o 187 -7 199.5 219.5 

1,067 173.4 30.1 131.4 138-8 144.2 152-9 170.9 1888 201.0 209.7 226.5 

745 178.4 29.5 131.7 143.6 149.4 159-O 176.3 194.5 209.1 217.8 230.1 

690 178.4 30.0 134.2 143.9 148.1 I582 174.2 197 -4 208.4 219.4 232.3 

1,227 173.7 28.2 132.2 140.9 146.6 154.9 171-3 188.9 199.5 209.0 225.6 

1,199 164.9 28.3 119.9 129.1 135.1 146.0 163.7 182.3 193.8 201.2 213.1 

Whi t, e 

I8-74 years..-...-...- ....... 5,148 173.0 29.0 131 .o 138.6 144.6 153.1 170.6 I89.0 201.5 210.8 225.7 

18-24 years .................. 846 163.5 28.1 125.3 133-6 136.9 143.5 159.8 177.7 188.5 200.8 220.5 

25-34 years .................. 901 174.3 28.9 132.2 140.6 145.3 154-I 172-O 189.0 201.4 210.3 226.4 

35-44 years .................. 653 179.4 28.2 137.3 146.9 151.8 160.9 176.7 194.6 208.7 217 -6 229.6 

45-54 years .................. 617 176.6 29.5 136.9 146.0 148.4 158.6 134.3 197.2 207.9 218.5 230.5 

55-64 years .................. 1,086 174.0 27.3 133.7 142.2 146.9 155.7 172.3 188.7 199.4 208.6 224.4 

65-74 years .................. I.045 166.2 27.3 122.3 131.4 I38.0 147.8 164-9 182.9 193.9 201.1 211.8 

Black 

18-74 years .................. 649 171.6 33.6 128.2 134.8 140.2 148-2 166.1 188.4 205.0 216.9 232-5 

18-24 years .................. 121 159-3 26.5 128.7 134.3 137.4 143.0 156.4 169.9 180.4 184.6 206.5 

25-34 years .................. 139 172.5 36.0 129.5 139.9 143.3 150.8 I66.0 186.2 199.9 203.4 234.3 

35-44 years .................. 70 181.9 34.0 * 136.2 143-g 153.6 183.5 209.1 221.5 229-9 * 

45-54 years .................. 62 181.7 32.0 * 142.7 147.7 161.3 180.4 205.2 220.5 226.0 I 

55-64 years .................. 129 173.3 32.3 125.4 135.5 141.8 149.9 170.1 190.8 206.8 217-4 230.9 

65-74 years .................. 128 161.7 33.7 115.8 125.1 128.1 134.6 157-2 178.9 200.4 214.5 232 .O 

172.2 29.8 129.2 137.3 143.3 151.6 169.6 188-8 201.4 211-l 226.5 

I/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

NOTE: Includes clothing weight, estimated as ranging from 0.20 to 0.62 pound. 
G *able 5. Weight in pounds for females 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, 

. and selected percentiles, by 

race and age: Unlted States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

I I I I 

I I Number af I I 1 Percent 1 le 

I examined I I Standard I I I I 1 I I I 1 

I I I 

I persons I Mean 1 deviation I 5th I 10th I f5th I 25th I I 50th 1 I 75th f 85th I 90th I 

I I I I I 1 

95th 

I I I r 1 

All races I/ 

W-74 years .................. 6,588 144.2 32.3 I05.3 Vi.1 115.1 -!22. # 137.8 359. f 174.7 186.3 205.4 

W-24 years .................. i.066 133.6 26.3 IO2.8 108.3 ivi .6 w?.4 I28.0 143.5 155.3 166.0 182.9 

25-34 years.......-.- ........ I.170 141.6 33.0 104 -6 fO9.5 113.5 fl9.8 i34.3 153.8 173.0 185.4 206.2 

35-44 years- ................. 844 147.8 33.6 109.6 114-6 117.5 125.5 139.8 i63.1 180.2 i93, I 2f8.0 

45-54 years .................. 763 I49,9 33.8 $07.1 I13.3 117.6 126.3 144.5 167.0 181.2 193.2 211.7 

55-66 years................-. 1,329 149-6 32-5 $07.3 113.0 319.3 126.3 143.9 i66.3 181.6 193.0 209.8 

65-74 ye8rs~..............~-. 1,416 146.8 30.5 103.9 112. t 117.3 126-6 143.0 162.8 176.1 186.3 201.3 

White 

18-74 years............~ ..... 5,686 143.0 31.1 105,3 ill,0 115.1 121-8 137.0 i57 .o 171.9 183.8 201.7 

18-24 years .................. 892 133.2 25.5 104.3 lOS,l il2.1 117.6 127.6 142-8 153.9 163.9 iBi.8 

25-34 years .................. L- 14Q.2 32.0 104-3 109.3 i13.1 119-i 133.7 152.0 166.4 379.8 i97.9 

35-44 yE?8t-S .................. 726 145.6 32.0 108-S li4.3 116.6 124.3 137-7 158.6 175.9 189.4 209.3 

45-54 years .................. 647 148.4 31.8 $07.3 I13.3 117.8 125.8 143.6 165. I 178.9 188.8 208-5 

55-64 years.-......*.....- ... 1,176 148.1 31.7 107.1 111.8 138.3 126.0 i42.6 164.3 180.3 $90.2 204.7 

65-74 years .................. i.245 i45.9 30.3 104. I 111.8 116.8 126. I i4i .9 160.7 174.7 185.9 201.~ 

Black 

W74 years .................. 782 157 .Q 38.1 107 -6 l13.9 i21.5 130.4 149.6 I77.% 192.8 209.3 232.0 

W-24 years .................. I47 139.2 30.6 101.8 108.-l 111.5 418-B 133.2 154.4 167 .O 174.5 197. I 

25-34 years......-......~ .... i45 152.7 36.8 106.6 il2.1 117. -1 127.5 144-I i76.8 192.2 201.8 226.5 

35-44 years...............- .. 103 165.9 40.5 Ill .8 I21 A 126.4 138.8 154.9 188.0 210-4 228.3 249.5 

45-54 years .................. loo 171.2 41.5 I21.5 133.3 134.i 142.2 163.8 184.4 208.4 216.7 259.2 

55-64 years.........~ ........ 135 i67.2 36.2 119.5 121.8 127. I 144.3 164.4 184.1 202.8 210.8 239.3 

65-74 years. ................. 152 159-6 29.9 116.8 124.5 133.3 141.1 154 -5 f81.5 186.3 I90.7 216-5 

4/ Includes all other races not shown zis sepnrnte categories. 

MITE: Includes clothing weight, estbnated as ranging from -.20 to 0.62 pcwnd. 
Table 6, Wefght in kilograms for persons 6 months-19 years of age--number exatnined. mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentfles, by sex and age: Unlted States, 1976-80 

. 

I a 

. 

I I Percentile 

Sex and age 

’ t&.mber of ’ I t 

I exam 1 ned I I -. 

Standard I I I I 1 I I I 

I persons I Mean 1 deviation I 5th I I 10th I 15th’ I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 

I 1 I I I I 1 I I I 

90th 1 95th 

I t 

6-U months .................. 

f year ........... ........... - 

2 years ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 years ...................... 

5 years ...................... 

6 years ...................... 

7 years ...................... 

h years ...................... 

9 year5 ...................... 

110 years ..................... 

lj years ..................... 

i2 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

14 years ..................... 

C5 years ..................... 

16 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

G3 years ..................... 

$9 years ..................... 

179 9.4 1.3 7-5 7-6 8.2 B.6 9.4 10.1 10.7 10.9 Ii.4 

370 11.8 l-9 9.6 10.0 10.3 10.8 11.7 i2.6 13.1 ‘13.6 44.4 

375 13.6 1.7 11-l 11.6 W.8 12.6 13.5 f4.5 is.2 15.8 16.5 

418 15.7 2.0 12.9 13.5 13.9 14.4 15.4 -16.8 17.4 17.9 19.1 

404 i7.B 2.5 14.1 15.0 i5.3 $6.0 j7.6 $9-0 f9.9 20.9 22.2 

397 19.8 3.0 16.0 $6.8 17.1 17.7 19.4 21.3 22.9 23.7 25.4 

$33 23.0 4.0 18.6 19.2 19.8 20.3 22-O 24.1 26.4 28.3 30.4 

148 25-I 3-9 19.7 20.8 21.2 22.2 24-8 26-9 28.2 29.6 33.9 

Wl7 28.2 6.2 20-4 22.7 23.6 24.6 27.5 29.9 33.0 35.5 39.1 

145 31.1 6.3 24.0 25.6 26.0 27-l 30-2 33.0 35.4 38-6 43.1 

157 $6.4 7.7 27.2 28.2 29.6 31.4 34.8 39.2 43.5 46.3 53.4 

155 40.3 10.1 26.8 28.8 31.8 33.5 37.3 46.4 52.0 57.0 61.0 

145 44.2 10.1 30.7 32.5 35.4 37.8 42.5 48.8 52.6 58.9 67.5 

173 49.9 12.3 35.4 37.0 38.3 40.1 48.4 56.3 59.8 64.2 69.9 

186 57.1 Ii.0 41.0 44.5 46.4 49.8 56.4 63.3 66.1 68.9 77.0 

184 61 .O H*U 46.2 49.1 50.6 54.2 60. t 64.9 68.7 72.8 81.3 

178 67.1 12.4 51.4 54.3 56-q 50.7 64.4 73.6 78.1 82.2 91.2 

173 66.7 1i.5 50.7 53.4 54.8 58.7 65.8 72.0 76.8 82.3 88-9 

164 71.1 f2.7 54-1 56.6 GO.3 61.9 70.4 76.6 80.0 83-5 95.3 

148 71.7 M.6 55.9 57-9 60.5 63.8 69.5 77.9 84.3 86.8 92.1 

Femal43 

i;-11 months .................. $77 

1 year ...................... 336 

2 years ...................... 336 

3 years ...................... 366 

4 years ...................... 396 

5 years ...................... 364 

6 years ...................... 135 

7 years......-.-...-......- .. 157 

8 yesrs ...................... 123 

9 years ...................... 149 

40 y82WS ..................... f36 

il yetws ..................... 140 

12 yeam ..................... 147 

$3 years ..................... 162 

14 yems ..................... 178 

35 years ..................... 145 

46 years ..................... 170 

17 years ..................... 134 

46 years ..................... 170 

49 years ..................... 158 

8.8 I.2 6.6 7.3 7-5 7.9 8.9 9.4 IO. 1 10.4 10.9 

10.8 1.4 8.8 9.j 9.4 9.9 $0.7 V-7 12.4 12.7 13.4 

13.0 1.5 10.8 11.2 11.6 12.0 12.7 13.8 14-5 14.9 45.9 

14.9 2.1 11.7 12.3 12.9 .#3.4 f4.7 16.1 17.0 17.4 18.4 

17.0 2.4 13.7 14.3 14.5 15.2 16.7 98.4 19.3 20.2 2i.j 

$9.6 3.3 15.3 36-f 16.7 17.2 49.0 21.2 22.8 24.7 26.6 

22.4 4.0 17.0 17-8 18.6 19.3 21.3 23.8 26-6 28.9 29.6 

24.7 5.0 19.2 19.5 i9.8 21.4 23.8 27.1 28.7 30.3 34.0 

27.9 5.7 21-4 22.3 23.3 24.4 27-5 30.2 31.3 33.2 36.5 

31.9 8.4 22.9 25.0 25.8 27-O 29.7 33.6 39.3 43.3 48.4 

36.1 8.0 25.7 27.5 29.0 31-O 34.5 39.5 44.2 45.8 49.6 

41.8 10.9 29.8 30.3 31.3 33.9 40.3 45.8 51 .o 56.6 60.0 

46.4 IO. I 32.3 35.0 36.7 39-f 45.4 52.6 58.0 60.5 64.3 

50.9 11.8 35.4 39.0 40.3 44.1 49.0 55.2 60.9 66.4 76.3 

54.8 11.1 40.3 42.3 43.7 47-4 53.1 60.3 65.7 67.6 75.2 

55.1 9.8 44 .Q 45.1 46.5 48.2 53.3 59.6 62.2 65.5 76.6 

58.4 IQ. i 44.1 47.3 48.9 51.3 55.6 62.5 68.9 73.3 76.8 

59.6 11.4 44.5 48.9 50.5 52.2 58.4 63.4 68.4 71.6 81.8 

59.0 Il.1 45.3 49.5 50.8 52.8 56.4 63.0 66.0 70. I 78.0 

60.2 ii .o 48.5 49.7 51.7 53.9 57.1 64.4 70.7 74.8 78.1 

NOTE: Includes clothing weSght, estimated as ranging from 0.09 to 0.28 kilogram. 

G 
z Table 7, Weight in kilograms for males 18-74 years of age-number examQ-led, mean, standard deviation, and selected percentUes, by 

race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

- v 

I I I I 

I Number of I I I 

Percent 17 e 

I examined I I Standard I I I I I 1 I I I 

I I I 

I persons I Mean I deviatjon I I 

5th 1 I 10th I 45th I 25th I 50th I 75th I I I 

I I I I I 

05th 

I 

90th I 95th 

I 1 t t 

All races j/ 

18-74 years..........- ....... 5.916 78-3 13.5 58.6 62.3 64.9 68.7 76.9 85.6 91.3 95.7 .iO2-7 

m-24 years.......-......~ ... 

25-34 years.....- ............ 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 .................. 

b-64 

years 

years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

988 73.8 72.7 56.8 60-4 61.9 64.8 72.0 80.3 85-l 90.4 99.5 

1,067 78.7 13.7 59.5 62.9 65-4 69.3 77-5 85.6 91.1 95.3 102.7 

745 80.9 13.4 59.7 65.3 67-7 72.1 79.9 88.1 94.8 98.8 404.3 

690 80.9 f3.6 60.8 65.2 67-2 71.7 79.0 89.4 94.5 99.5 105.3 

d.227 78.8 32.8 59.9 63.8 66.4 70.2 77.7 85-6 90.5 94.7 102.3 

1,199 74.8 12.8 54.4 58.5 61.2 66.1 74.2 82.7 87.9 9f.2 96.6 

m-74 

18-24 

25-34 

35-44 

45-54 

55-64 

65-74 

W-74 

ip-24 

.25-34 

35’44 

h-54 

55-64 

65-74 

White 

years.......-- ......... 

years-,.-~ ............. 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years........-.-.- ..... 

%lack 

ye8rs...........- ...... 

years .................. 

years .................. 

yeSrs.........-..--.- .. 

years..........\ ....... 

years .................. 

years...............- .. 

5,148 78.5 13. I 59.3 

. 

62.8 65-5 69-4 77.3 85.6 91.4 95.5 902.3 

846 74.2 12.8 56.8 60.5 62.0 65.0 72.4 80.6 85.5 9.t -0 IOU.0 

901 79.0 43.1 59.9 63.7 65.9 69.8 78.0 85-6 91.3 95.3 102-7 

653 81-4 12.8 62.3 66.6 68.8 72.9 80.. 1 88.2 94.6 98.7 fO4. I 

617 81.0 13.4 62.0 66-I 67.3 71.9 79-O 89.4 94.2 99-o 104-5 

1.086 78.9 12’. 4 60.5 64.5 66.6 70.6 78.2 85.6 90.4 94.5 1OL7 

1,045 75.4 12.4 55.5 59.5 62.5 67.0 74.7 83.0 87.9 91-2 96.0 

649 77.9 15.2 

12.0 

16.3 

45.4 

14.5 

14-7 

15.3 

58.0 

5%.3 

58.7 

* 

* 

56.8 

52.5 

61.3 63.6 67-2 75.3 85-4 92.9 98.3 

321 72.2 

139 78.2 

70 82.5 

62 82.4 

129 78.6 

128 73.3 

60.9 62.3 64.9 70.8 77. I 81.8 t33.7 

63-4 64.9 68.4 75.3 84.4 90.6 92.2 

6-I -7 65.2 69.7 83.1 94-8 -!oo-4 104.2 

64.7 67.0 73-2 81.8 93.0 100.0 102.5 

61-4 64.3 68.0 77.0 86.5 93.8 98.6 

56.7 58-O 61.0 71.2 8l.j 90-8 97.3 

105.4 

93.6 

106.3 

* 

104.; 

105. I 

d/ Includes a11 other races not shown as separate categories. 

NOTE: Includes clothjng weight, estimated as ranging from 0.09 to 0.28 kilogram. 
Table 8. Weight In kilograms for females W-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected percenttIes, by 

race and eige: United States, 1976430 

I 1 I ! 

Race and age 

I I I I 

I I Number of l 1 I Percent i 18 

I wcam 1 ned I 

1 Standard 

I I 1 t 1 J I I I I 

I persons I l Mean devlat Ion I I I I I I 

I I I 5th 1 30th I t5th 

I 

25th I 50th i 75th I I I 

I 85th I 90th I 95th 

I I I 

All races i/ 

m-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

S-34 yearS .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years..~.~ ............. 

White 

18-74 years .................. 

IS-24 years.....--....-- ..... 

25-34 years....-..........- .. 

35-44 years-.-.-~.- .......... 

45-54 yesrs- ................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

Black 

qi3-74 years .................. 

w-24 ye8rS...............- .. 

25-34 years).........-....--. 

35-44 years.....-....-- ...... 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

6,588 65-4 14.6 47.7 50.3 52.2 55.4 62.4 72-l 79.2 84.4 93-I 

1,066 60.6 11.9 46.6 49.1 50.6 53.2 58.0 65.0 70.4 75.3 82.9 

1,170 64.2 15.0 47.4 49.6 51.4 54.3 60.9 69.6 78.4 84.1 93.5 

844 67.1 45.2 49.2 52.0 53.3 56.9 63.4 73.9 81-7 87.5 98.9 

763 68.0 15.3 48.5 51.3 53.3 57.3 65.5 75.7 82.1 87.6 96-O 

1,329 67.9 14.7 48.6 51.3 54.1 57.3 65.2 75.3 82.3 57.5 95.1 

1,416 66.6 43.8 47.t 50.8 53.2 57.4 64.8 73.8 79.8 64.4 91.3 

5,686 64.8 14. I 47.7 50.3 52.2 55.2 62.1 7t.1 77.9 33.3 91.5 

392 60.4 Ii.6 47.3 49.5 50.8 53.3 57.9 64.8 69.7 74.3 82.4 

f.ooo 63.6 14.5 47.3 49.5 51.3 54.0 60.6 6%.9 76.3 83.5 89.7 

726 66.-I 14.5 49.3 51.8 52-9 56.3 62.4 71.9 79.7 85.8 94.9 

647 67.3 14.4 48.6 51.3 53.4 57.0 65.0 74.8 81.4 85.6 94.5 

l,i76 67.2 14.4 48.5 50.7 53.7 57-j 64.7 74.5 St.8 86.2 92.8 

1.245 66.2 13.7 47.2 50.7 52-9 57.2 64.3 72.9 79.2 84.3 91.2 

782 71.2 17.3 48.8 51.6 55,) 59.3 67.8 SO.6 87.4 94.9 105.1 

147 63.1 13.9 46.2 49 .o 50-6 53.8 60.4 70.0 75.B 79.1 89.3 

145 69.3 16.7 48.3 50.8 53-i 57.8 65.3 80.2 87.1 91.5 102.7 

303 75.3 $8.4 50.7 55.2 57.2 63.0 70.2 85.2 95.3 103.5 li3.4 

mo 77.7 18.8 55.j 60.3 GO.8 64.5 74.3 83.6 94-5 98.2 117.5 

135 75.8 16.4 54-2 55.2 57-6 65.4 74.6 a3.4 91.9 95.5 108.5 

152 72.4 13.6 52.9 56.4 60.3 64.0 70.0 82.2 84.4 86.5 98.1 

I/ fnclvdes al1 other races not Shown as separate categorjes. 

?+JOTf: Includes clothby wdight, estimated as rangjng from 0.09 to O.ZS kIlogram. 
8 Table 9. Body mass index (kilograms divided by height in meters squared) for persons 2-19 years of age--number examined, mean, 

standard deviation, and selected percenttles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

Sex and age 

- 

I I I I 

t I Percentile 

t Number of 1 1 I 

exaMned I I Standard 1 I I I I I I I r 

I persons I Mean deviathm I 5th I 10th I 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 

I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 95th 

Male 

2 years ...................... 375 16.3 I.3 74.4 14.7 15.0 15.4 16.3 17.0 17.4 17.7 18.4 

3 years ...................... 418 15.9 1.2 14.2 14.5 14.7 I5.1 15.8 16.5 16.9 17.1 17.8 

4 years ...................... 404 15.8 f.4 14.0 14.4 14.6 14.9 15.6 16.4 16-8 17.2 18.3 

5 years ...................... 397 15.6 1.5 13.7 14.0 14.3 14.7 15.4 16.3 16.8 17.2 18.0 

6 years ...................... 133 16.0 2.2 14.0 14.3 14.5 14.8 15.3 16.7 17.5 18.0 21.1: 

7 years.................- .... 148 16.0 I.7 13.7 i4.1 14.5 14.9 15.7 16.7 17.3 18.0 19.8 

8 y@~rS ...................... 147 16.6 2.5 13.7 14.3 14.7 ELI 16.2 17.3 18.7 19.2 20.8 

9 years ...................... 145 16.8 2.4 13.7 14.4 14.9 15.5 16.4 17-6 18.6 19.8 21.8 

10 years....~ ................ 157 18.0 2.9 14.6 15.2 15.6 16.1 17.3 19-I 20.4 21.8 24.4 

11 -years ..................... 155 18.7 3.6 14.8 15.4 15.6 16.2 I7..5 20.7 22.5 24.3 26.4 

12 years ..................... i45 13.8 3.2 15.0 15.8 16.3 16.7 78.0 19-9 21.6 24.0 25.0 

13 years ..................... 173 19.6 3.7 15-9 16.4 16.7 17.2 18.9 21-u 22-2 23.6 24.8 

14 ye~r5 ..................... 186 20.2 3-o 16.6 17.3 17.7 W-2 W-6 21.5 23.1 23.9 25.1 

15 years ..................... 184 20.8 3.1 16.8 17.7 18.3 IS-0 20.5 21.9 23-O 23.9 26.6 

16 years.....- ............... 178 22.1 3.5 48.1 18.5 f9.0 19.6 21.6 23.9 25.4 26.0 28.0 

17 years ..................... 173 21.7 3.2 17.8 18.0 18.7 19.6 21.3 23.3 24-6 25.9 28.3 

1% years ..................... I64 22-7 3.7 18-l 18-9 19.4 20.2 22.I 24.5 26.0 27.0 29.9 

39 years ..................... 148 23.0 3.5 18.8 19.3 19.8 20.8 22.6 24.7 25.9 27.7 30-2 

fefns10 

2 y0ars ...................... 336 16.1 d-3 j4.1 14.5 14.8 15.2 16.0 16.9 17.5 47.8 18.5 

3 year5- ..................... 366 15-6 1.3 33.6 14.1 $4-4 14.8 15.4 16.4 i6.7 17.1 17.7 

4 years ...................... 396 15.5 1.4 13.7 13.9 14.2 14.6 15.3 16.2 i6.8 17.3 18.0 

5 years ...................... 364 15.6 1.8 13.5 13.8 14.0 14.4 15.3 16.6 17.2 m-4 19.6 

6 years ...................... 135 15-7 1.8 13.6 13.9 14.1 14.4 15.3 16.3 17.3 18.4 19.3 

7 years ...................... 157 16.1 2.2 13.8 33.9 14.3 14.6 15.7 i7.0 17.8 18.4 19-9 

8 years ...................... 123 16.4 2.5 13.9 I4.1 14.4 14.9 15.9 i7.3 I8.I I8-7 20.3 

g years ...................... 149 17.5 3.5 14.2 14.7 35.0 15.5 16.5 1%. 1 19.6 22.7 25-2 

10 years ..................... 136 17.8 3.2 13.7 f4.5 15.1 15.7 17.0 19-3 20.9 22.6 24.1 

11 years ...................... I40 18.9 3.8 14.9 15.3 15.7 16.4 18.1 20.4 21-6 22.5 26.2 

I2 years ..................... i47 m.4 3.4 14.9 15.6 16.3 17.0 18.8 20.9 22.7 23-6 26-3 

13 years ..................... I62 20.1 4.1 15.2 15.9 16.5 17.6 19.3 21.4 23.2 23.9 28.5 

14 years ..................... 178 21.1 3.9 16.4 17.0 37.8 I8.6 20.4 22.7 24.5 26-2 28.8 

15 years ..................... 140 20-6 3.0 17.1 17.6 17.9 18.5 19.9 21.7 22.6 25.4 26.6 

16 years ..................... I68 21.8 3.6 17.7 18.3 18.6 19.4 21-o 23.0 25.4 26-4 29-I 

17 years ..................... 332 22.3 4.6 ?7.4 18.4 18.9 19.7 21-4 23.7 25.1 26.8 31.3 

m years..............) ...... I62 22.3 3.8 17.8 IS.5 19.1 20.0 24.6 23.3 25.5 26.7 30.7 

$9 years ..................... 152 22.5 3.9 18.3 18.9 19.2 19.8 21.6 23.7 25.9 27.4 29.0 

NOTE: Excludes pregnant women. 
Table IO. Body mass index (kilograms divfded by height in meters squared) for males 18-74 years of age--number examtned, mean, 

standapd devtation, and setected percentlles. by race and age: United States, 1576-80 

Race and age 

I I I I 

I I I I 

I I I I Percentile 

I Number of I 

I 

exam i ned I I I I i I I 1 I 1 I 

persons 1 

I Mean I S*andard I 

I I devlatioon I 5th I Wt:h I 15th I I 1 I I I 

I I I 

25th I 

50th I 75th I 85th I 90-m 

I 

95th 

All mces $/ 

W-74 years .................. 

20-29 years .................. 

f8-24 years ............... 

25-34 years..--.-- ........... 

35-44 ye8rs .................. 

45-54 years., ................ 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 ye8rs......- ........... 

Whl te 

t8-74 years.............- .... 

20-29 years...-..........- ... 

18-24 years ............... 

25-34 years.....-- ........... 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

BlZCk 

w-74 Yeats......- ........... 

20-29 years.......-..- ....... 

$8-24 years ............... 

25-34 ye8r6.....-..- ......... 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,9f6 25.3 4.0 W-6 20.7 21-4 22.6 24.9 27.5 29.3 30.4 32.6 

9,261 24-3 3.8 59.4 20.2 20-7 21.7 23.7 26.3 27.8 29.2 31.1 

988 23.5 3.6 18.9 19.6 20.2 21 .o 23.0 25.3 27.0 28.0 30.8 

1,067 25.2 4.0 m-7 20.7 21.5 22.4 24.7 27. I 28.7 30.0 32.6 

745 26.0 3.9 20.5 21.4 22.1 23.3 25.6 28.2 29.7’ 30.8 33.1 

690 26.3 4.1 20.6 21.6 22.5 23.7 25.9 28.8 30.3 31.3 33.7 

1.227 26-f 3.8 20.5 21.7 22-3 23.6 25.8 28.1 29.6 30.7 33.0 

1,199 25.5 3.9 19.0 20.6 21.6 22.9 25.4 27.8 29.6 30.8 32.3 

5,148 25.4 3.9 49.7 20.8 21.5 22.7 25.0 27.5 29-3 30.4 32.5 

3,072 24.4 3.7 49.4 20.3 20-8 21.8 23.8 26.3 27.9 29.2 31.1 

846 23.6 3-6 18-9 19.6 20.2 21.0 23.1 25.5 27.1 28.1 30.8 

901 25.2 3.8 j9.8 20.8 21.6 22.5 24.8 27.2 28.7 30.0 32.4 

653 26. I 3.7 20.7 21.7 22.3 23.6 25.7 28.f 29.6 30.5 32.7 

617 26.3 4.0 20.8 21.7 22.6 23.7 25.8 28.7 30-2 31.3 33.7 

1: ,086 26.1 3.7 20.6 21.7 22.5 23.8 25.8 28.2 29.5 30.7 32-8 

f ,045 25.6 3.9 19.2 20.8 21 A 23.i 25.5 27.9 29.6 30.8 32-3 

649 25.3 4.7 39.3 20.2 20.6 21.8 24.5 27.8 29.9 31.1 33.7 

160 24.1 4.5 19.2 f9.9 20.3 21.3 23.2 25.7 27.5 29.0 31.5 

121 23.1 3.6 19.0 19.% 20.2 20.6 22.5 24.6 26.2 27.5 30.3 

139 25.1 5* I 19.2 20.2 20.7 21.8 24.3 27.1 28.2 29.8 32.3 

70 26.4 4.5 * 21.3 21.7 23.0 25.9 29.4 31.5 32.3 + 

62 27.2 4.5 f 21.6 22-2 25.1 26.9 29.9 31 .o 32.6 rl; 

f29 25.9 4.5 19.8 21.3 21.7 22.3 25.4 28.0 30.4 31.3 34.7 

128 24.9 4.6 $8.5 20.4 20.6 21.8 24.2 28.2 29-9 31.5 34 - 9 

t/ inciudes all other Paces not shown as separate catega-rles. 
E Table 14, Body mass index (klIograms divided by height In meters squared) for females 18-74 years af age--number examined, mean, 

standard devlatlon, and selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

I I t I 

I 1 I I 

I I I I Percent 11 e 

I Number of 

exami ned I I 

I I I Standard I I 1 1 I r I I I 

I I I I I I I I I 9Sth I persons I #em I devjation l 5th I 10th f 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th 

I 

85th 

I 

90th I I I I 

aw races l/ 

W-74 years........-.....-- .. 

20-29 years .................. 

j8-24 years ............... 

25-34 year$ .................. 

35-44 ye~rs.........~ ........ 

45-h years......~..-......- . 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years. ................. 

Whq te 

j8-74 years .................. 

20-29 years .................. 

48-24 years ............... 

25-34 yegrs..~.......-..-.- .. 

35-44 years..~..........- .... 

45-54 years..)-..-..- ........ 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years.*.-..........-.- . 

Bl23Ck 

f8-74 years...........-.-- ... 

20-29 years .................. 

W-24 years ............... 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

$5-64 years......- ........... 

6S-74 years .................. 

6,435 25.0 5.6 38.5 19.3 20.0 21.1 23.7 27.6 30.4 32-5 36.0 

1,290 23.1 4.7 $7.9 18.6 19. I 20.0 22.0 24.9 27.3 29.1 32.3 

?,om 22.6 4.2 17.9 18.5 19.1 20.0 2f.6 23.8 26.1 27.m 6 3j.0 

4, i21 24.1 5.5 18.3 49.0 19-5 20.3 22.6 26.1 29.0 31A5 35.4 

836 25-3 5.8 18.8 49.7 20-3 21.3 23.8 28-O 30.9 33.5 36.7 

763 26.f 5.8 19.1 20.2 20-9 22.3 24.8 28.9 31.6 33-3 37.0 

1,329 26.5 5.6 19.3 20.6 21.3 22.5 25.3 29.5 32.1 33.7 37.9 

1,416 26.7 5.4 19.4 20-6 21.6 23.0 25.9 29.2 31.7 33.5 36.6 

5,593 24.8 5.4 $8.5 19.3 20.0 21-O 23-4 27.2 29.9 32-O 35.5 

I.083 22.9 4.5 t7,9 18.6 19.1 20.0 21.9 24.6 26.8 28-5 31-7 

848 22.4 4.0 18. i 18.6 19.1 19-9 21.5 23.6 25.7 27.2 30-4 

957 23.8 5.3 18. I W.9 19.4 20-2 22.4 25.7 28.5 30.8 34.5 

718 24.9 5.6 18.8 19.6 20.3 21.2 23.3 27.2 30.4 32.5 36-2 

647 25-S 5.5 19.0 20.3 20.9 22.2 24.6 28.4 31-I 33.2 36-7 

l+i76 26-2 5.5 d9.3 20.5 21.3 22.4 25.1 29.i 3t.9 33.4 37.0 

4,245 26-5 5.4 $9.3 20.5 21.5 22.9 25.7 28.9 31.5 33.3 36-7 

766 27.1 6.5 $8.8 20-o 20.8 22.2 26.3 30.8 33.2 35.3 39.3 

174 24.8 5.9 18.2 18.9 19-8 20.5 23-4 28.0 31 .o 31.8 37.2 

136 23.7 5.0 47.8. 18.5 19.5 20.3 22.j 25.7 29.0 30.9 32.2 

140 26-2 6.3 18.8 19-8 20.1 21.5 24.8 28-7 33.6 35.4 37.8 

403 28-2 6.6 18.9 20.8 21.9 24.3 26.7 32.7 35.2 37.4 41-7 

loo 29.7 7-2 21.9 22.8 23.7 25.3 28.2 32.1 34.1 36.5 43.7 

135 29.3 6.4 2O.i 22.1 23.1 24.8 28.8 31-7 35.0 39.i 42.9 

152 28-7 5.1 21.2 22.5 23.5 25 -6 28.2 32.6 33.6 35.1 37.1 

I/ Includes all other races not shown as Separate categories. 

?Xl.Tf: Excludes pregnant women. 
t&k? $2- Height in Inches fbr persons 2-19 years of age--number examlned, mean, standard deviation, ztnd selected percentiles, by 

sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

t I I r - 

Sex and age 

I I I I 

I I I I Percentile I 

I Number of 

exam1 ned 1 I I 

I persons I Mean I 

Standard 1 r I I I I t I I 

I I I I I I I I 

I I I deviation I 5th I 10th 

I 

f5th I 25th 

I 

50th 

I 

75th I 83th I 90th I 95th 

Male 

2 years ...................... 37s 35.9 1.7 33.3 33.8 34.1 34.7 35.9 37.1 37.7 38.1 38.5 

3 yearS.~..............* ...... 418 39.1 1.8 36.2 37.1. 37 -3: 38.0 38.9 40.2 40.9 41.3 42.1 

4 years ...................... 404 41.7 2-o 38.5 39.1 39-6 40.3 4q.9 43.0 43.7 44.3 45.2 

5 years ...................... 397 44.3 2.1 40.9 41.7 42.2 43.1 44.3 45.5’ 46-5 47.1 47.7 

6 years ...................... 133 47.0 2-O 43-g 44.3 45. I 45.6 47.2 48-3 49.1. 49.4 49.9 

7 years ...................... 14% 49.2 2.3 45-4 46.3 46.9 48.0 49.6 50.4 51-2 51.8 52.6 

8 years ....................... 147 5t.2 2.7 46.7 48.0 48.7 49.3 51.4 52.8 53.7 54.4 56-O 

9 years......- ............... 145 53-A 2.3 49.6 50.5 50.9 51.7 53.6 54.9 55.6 56.3 56.9 

$0 ye8rS................~ .... $57 55.8 2.9 5t.3 52.3 52.8 53.9 55.7 57.6 58.9 59.3 60.3 

44 years ..................... 455 57.5 3.4 52.4 53.5 54.3 55.5 57.3 59.6 60.6 61.1 63.0 

12 yezws ..................... g45 60.1 3.1 54.6 56.2 57-u 58.1 59.8 62.2 63-f 63.7 64.7 

i3 years ..................... i73 62.6 3.3 56.8 58.1 58.9 60.1 62-8 65.0 66.5 66.7 67.6 

14 ye3rs ..................... I86 66.0 3.3 60.6 61.7 62.6 64.0 66.0 68-l 69.5 70.4 71.f 

15 years ..................... I%4 67.2 2.7 63-O 63.7 64.1 65.2 67.3 69.f 69.9 70. i 71.6 

16 years ..................... 178 68.4 2.5 64.1 64.0 66.0 66.9 68.4 70.1 71.0 71-9 73.2 

17 years.......~.-..- ........ 173 68-9 2.8 64.6 65.9 66.3 67.1 68.9 70.7 72.0 72.6 73.7 

18 years ..................... 164 69.6 2.6 65.6 66.5 67.0 67.9 69.6 71.2 72.4 72.9 74.7 

49 yeaM ..................... 148 69.5 2.6 64.7 66.2 66.7 67.5 69.6 71.3 72.2 -72.8 73.6 

Female 

2 years ...................... 336 35.3 f.6 32.7 33.2 33.7 34.1 35.4 36.3 36-9 37.3 38.3 

3 years ...................... 366 38.4 1.9 35.3 35.9 36-5 37.2 38-4 39.7 40.3 40.7 41.1 

4 years ...................... 396 41.2 2.0, 37.0 38.7 39. I 39.9 4i.j 42-6” 43-2 43.6 44-3 

5 yeerrs ...................... 364 43.9 2.1 40.6 41.3 41.9 42.6 43.9 45.4 45.8 46.8 47.4 

6 years ...................... i35 46.6 2.4 43.3 43.8 43.9 44.6 46.6 48.1 49.0 49.8 50.7 

7 years ...................... $57 48.7 2.6 44.6 45.9 46.2 47. f 48.9 50.4 51.2 52.0 53.1 

8 years.............: ......... 123 5f.3 2.3 47.6 48.6 48.9 49.5 51.4 52.4 53.3 54.2 55.‘3 

9 years ...................... 149 52.9 3.0 48.8 49.8 50.2 50.7 53.1 54.7 53-4 56.2 57.9 

10 years ..................... 136 55.9 2.; 5 51.8 52.6 53.2 54.2 55.7 57 .‘.6 58.3 59-2 60.6 

41 years ..................... f4O 58.2 3.4 53.0 54.9 55.4 56.. 58.2 59i9- 60.9 61.7 64-j 

12 ye&s ..................... 147 60.8 2.8 56.6 57.4 57.8 58.7 61.0 62.4 63.7 64.8 65~3 

13 years ..................... 162 62.5 2.6 58.7 59.2 60. f 61.1 62.6 64.2 64.8 65.7 67.0 

14 yens ..................... 17%. 63‘.3 2.5 59.5 60.1 eO.8 61.7 63.3 65-O. 65.7 66.2 67x9 

i5 years ..................... 145 64.3 2.5 60.2 61.1 6i .9 62.6 64-2 65 .-8 67.1 6%-O 68:3 

16 years ..................... 170 64.1 2.4 59..8 60.8 61.9 62.6 64.3 65.6 66.7 67.4 68.2 

ii years ..................... ?34 64.4 2-3 60..6 6i.7 62.. 4 63.1 64,2 65.6 66-7 6j.2 67.8 

1% years ..................... =I70 64.0 2.7 59.3 60.7 6j.3 62.2 64.1 65.5 66.6 67.5 fig.5 

19 years ...................... 158 64.4 2.2 60.6 61.7 62.1 62.9 64-S 65.9 66.7 67.i 67-8 

: 

Ndtf! Height wlthaut shcms. . ;’ ;- 
F Table 13, t-iefght in inches for males 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard devlat+on, and se1 ected percent i 1 es, by 

race and ergs: Unjted States, 1976-W 

4 1 t I 

I I I 1 

I 

PercentlIe 

I 

Number of I I I 

examWed I I I Standard I _ I I I I I 1 I I 

I I I 

, persons I Mean I deviation I 5th I I 10th 1 15th I 25-U-I I 50th I 75th 1 85th I I Race and age I I I I I I 90th I 95th 

1 I I 1 t 

All races I/ 

$8-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years.............- .... 

65-74 years .................. 

White 

5,916 69.1 2.8 

98% 69.7 

f ,067 69.6 

745 69.4 

690 69.0 

1,227 68.4 

I.599 67.4 

2.8 

2.7 

2-9 

2.6 

2.7 

2-8 

W-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years-.........)..) .... 

65-74 years .................. 

Black 

5,148 69.2 2.8 64.6 65.6 66.4 67.4 69.2 71.1 72.3 72.7 73.7 

846 69.8 2-s 65.5 66.4 67.0 67.9 69.7 71.6 72.5 73.4 74.7 

901 69.7 2.6 65.3 66.2 67.1 67.9 69.7 71.4 72.4 73.0 73.3 

653 69.6 2.9 64.7 65.6 66.8 68.0 69.6 71.5 72.3 73.1 74-O 

617 69.-l 2.6 64.8 65-9 66.5 67.4 69.0 70.8 31.9 72.5 73-I 

I.086 68.4 2-7 64.2 65.2 65.7 66.7 68.4 70.3 7j.l 71-7 72.6 

f ,045 67.6 2.7 62.8 64.1 64.8 65.7 67.6 69.5 70-4 71.1 72.4 

18-74 years.............- .... 649 69.1 2.7 64-6 65.6 66.2 67.4 69.1 71 *o 72.0 72.6 

W-24 years.......~...-...~ .. $21 69.6 2.7 

25-34 years .................. 139 69.6 2.7 

35-44 fears.............- .... 70 69.5 2.5 

45-54 years .................. 62 68.6 2.6 

55-64 years .................. 129 68.6 2.7 

65-74 years......- ........... 128 67.4 2.6 

64.5 65.5 66.2 67-3 69- I 71.0 72.0 72.6 73.6 

65.3 66.3 66.9 67.8 69-7 71.5 72.4 73.2 74.6 

65.1 66.4 67.0 67.8 69-6 71.4 72.2 73.0 73-8 

64.6 65-5 66.5 67.8 69.5 71.3 72.2 73.0 74.0 

64.7 65.8 66.3 67-2 69.0 70.8 71.9 72.5 73.1 

63.8 65.1 65.6 66.6 68.4 70.3 71.f 71.7 72.7 

62.7 63-9 64.6 65.5 67.5 69.4 70.3 71.0 72.1 

65-l 

65.1 

* 

64.; 

63.5 

66.0 67.0 67.9 70.1 71.3 72.4 72.8 

66.3 66.7 67.9 69.7 71.5 72.1 72.7 

66A3 67.2 68.1 69.0 70.8 71.6 72.9 

66.0 66.1 66.5 68.1 70-2 72.1 72.6 

65.1 65.6 66.4 68-7 70.4 7iA 72-O 

64.0 64.5 65.3 67.6 69 -0 70.0 71.1 

73.4 

73.3 

73.7 

* 

* 

73-5 

71.7 

‘t/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

#dijfE: Halght without shoes. 
Table 14. Helaht In inches for females W-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected percentiles, by 

pace and age: -United States, 1976-80 

1 I . 

I I I 

I I Number of I 1 

I I 

I 

examWed 

I I 

I 

persons l Mean I 

Percent 3 1 e 

Race and age 

-I 8-74 years .................. 6,588 63.7 2.6 59.4 60.5 61.3 62.0 63.7 65.5 66.4 67.0 68.0 

18-24 yecsrs .................. 1,066 64.3 2.6 60.2 61.1 61.7 62.6 64.5 66.0 67.0 67.5 68.5 

25-34 ye8rs .................. 1,170 64.2 2.5 60.3 61.1 61.7 62.5 64.2 66.0 66.9 67.5 68.4 

35-44 years .................. %44 64.3 2.5 60.1 61.2 61.7 62.4 64.0 65.7 66.6 67.3 68.3 

45-54 years .................. 763 63.5 2.5 59.2 60.2 60.9 61.7 63.5 65.2 66.0 66.7 67.6 

55-64 years .................. 1,329 63.0 2.5 58.7 59.8 60.5 61.4 63.7 64.7 65.6 66.1 67.1 

65-74 years. ................. i.416 62.2 2.5 50.2 59.j 59.7 60.7 62.4 63.9 64.7 65.4 66.1 

18-74 years .................. 5,686 63.8 2.6 59.6 60.6 61.2 62.0 63.7 65.5 66.4 67.1 6&O 

i8-24 years .................. B92 64.4 2-5 60.3 61.3 61.9 62.8 

25-34 .years .................. Loo0 64.3 2.5 60.4 61 .i 6i.i 62.6 

35-44 years .................. 726 64.1 2.5 60. I 63.3 63.7 62.3 

45-54 years .................. 647 63.6 2.4 59.6 60.5 61-f 61.9 

55-64 years .................. 1,176 63.0 2.5 58.9 59.8 60.6 61.4 

65-74 years .................. 1,245 62.3 2.5 58.2 59.1 59.7 60.7 

64.5 

64.3 

64.0 

63.5 

63.1 

62.4 

. . 

66.0 67.0 67.6 68.5 

66 :l 67.0 67.5 68.4 

65.8 66.7 67.4 68.4 

65.2 66.0 66.7 67.6 

64.7 65.6 66.0 67.0 

63.9 64.7 65.4 66.0 

m-74 

3&24 

25-34 

35-44 

45-54 

55-64 

65-74 

All races I/ 

White 

Black 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years .................. 

years ................... 

years .................. 

years .................. 

1 I 

782 63.8 2.6 59.3 60.7 61.1 62.0 63.8 65.6 66.5 67.1 68.1 

447 64.3 2.7 60.2 61.1 61.6 62.4 64.2 66.2 67.0 67.3 68.8 

145 63.9 2.5 59.6 61 .O 61.5 62.3 64.0 65-5 66.4 67.1 68.5 

403 64.3 2.2 61. i 61.7 61.9 62.8 64.0 65.8 66.5 67.0 67.6 

loo 63.7 2.7 59.2 60.0 60.7 613 63.8 65.9 66.6 67.0 67.7 

535 63.4 2.9 58.6 58.7 60.4 61.3 63.7 65.5 66.6 67.2 68.7 

152 62.5 2.4 58.3 59.2 60.4 61.3 62.6 64.1 64.9 65.5 66.7 

Standard I 

, 

I I 1 1 1 I 1 I 

devfat 3on I I I I I I I I 

1 5th I lOti7 I 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 

I 

90th 

I 

95th 

1/ Includes all other races not shown as separate cstegorles. 

ROTE: Height without shoes. 
& Table I5. Height in centimeters for persons 2-19 years of age--number examined. mean, standard deviation, and selected percentiles. 

by sex and age: United States, f976-80 

Se% and age 

1 I I 1 

I I I I 

I Number of I I I 

Percentile 

I examined I I I I Standard l 1 t I 1 I --. I I I 

I I I 1 I I I I I I 

I per sons I Mean I devbtion I 5th I 40th 

1 

15th 

I 

25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

3 yearS ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 yearS..........O ............ 

5 years ...................... 

6 y~8rs ...................... 

7 years ...................... 

8 years ...................... 

9 ye8rs ...................... 

10 years ..................... 

ii years ..................... 

12 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

11 years ..................... 

i5 yeaPs ..................... 

I6 years ..................... 

17 yeam ..................... 

IS years ..................... 

19 years ..................... 

Female 

375 91.2 4.3 84.5 85.8 86.5 88.2 

418 99.2 4.5 92.0 94.3 94.9 96.5 

404 IO6.0 5.2 97.8 99.5 loo.5 102.5 

397 112.6 5.4 104.0 105.8 107.2 109.4 

133 lf9.5 5.1 lI1.2 V2.6 114.5 115.9 

148 125. I 5.9 115.4 117.6 119-i I21.8 

I47 129.9 7.0 lI8.6 i22.0 123.5 125.3 

I45 135.5 5.8 125.9 128.4 129.4 131.2 

I57 141.6 7.3 I30.3 132.8 134.0 I37 .o 

155 146.0 7.8 133.1 135.9 I38.0 141.1 

I45 152.6 7.9 i39.0 142.6 144.9 147.5 

i73 158.9 8.3 144.4 147.6 149.7 152.6 

186 167.5 8.3 153.9 156.5 159.1 162.5 

184 170.8 6.7 I60. I 162.0 162.6 165.7 

178 173.8 6.4 163.0 164.7 167.4 i69.8 

I73 175. I 7.1 164. I 167.3 168.4 170.6 

164 176.9 6.7 166.5 168.8 i69.9 172.3 

I48 176.5 6.7 164.5 168.2 169.4 171.8 

2 years ...................... 336 89.7 4.2 83.1 84.4 85.5 86.7 

3 ye2irs ...................... 366 97.5 4.8 89.6 91.1 92.5 94.5 

4 years ...................... 396 104.6 5.0 96.1 98.2 99.5 101.5 

5 years ...................... 364 III.6 5.3 103.0 105.1 106.4 108.1 

6 years ...................... 135 VS.4 6.1 IO9.9 111.1 U1.5 03.3 

7 years ...................... I57 123.7 6.7 113.3 li6.6 117.4 jI9.6 

8 years ...................... 123 130.2 5.7 I20.8 123.4 124.4 125.8 

9 years ...................... I49 134.4 7.6 124.0 126.4 127.6 i29.0 

40 years ..................... 136 141.9 6.5 131.6 133.6 135.1 137.6 

$1 years ...................... 140 147.9 7.8 134.7 139.3 I40.6 142.2 

12 years ..................... I47 154.4 7.2 143.9 145.7 146.7 i49.2 

I3 years ..................... I62 158.9 6.6 149.0 150.3 152.7 155.3 

14 years ..................... 178 160.8 6.4 I51.0 i52.7 154.5 156.7 

15 years ..................... 145 163.2 6.2 153.0 155.2 157. I 159.1 

46 years ..................... 170 162.9 6.1 152.0 154.5 157.2 159. I 

17 years ..................... 134 163.5 5.7 i53.8 156-B 158.5 160.4 

46 years ..................... 170 162.4 6.8 150.7 154.2 155.6 158.0 

19 years ..................... 15% 163.5 5.6 153.8 156.8 157.7 159.7 

91.3 94.2 

98.8 102.0 

106.4 109.2 

i12.6 l-15.6 

120. I 122.6 

425.9 128.1 

130.6 134.1 

136.1 139.6 

141.5 146.4 

145.6 151.2 

152.0 158.0 

159.7 165.0 

167.5 173.1 

171-I 175.5 

173.7 77%. 3 

174.9 i79.7 

176.9 i80.9 

176.9 I81.1 

89.8 92.2 

97.6 loo.8 

104.5 I08.2 

ill.6 115.2 

i-w.5 122.2 

124.1 128. I 

130.6 133.2 

134.8 139.0 

141.6 146.3 

147.9 152.2 

154.8 158.6 

159.0 163.0 

160.9 165.1 

163.1 167.1 

163.2 166.4 

163.1 166.7 

162.7 166.2 

163.7 167.2 

95.8 96.6 97.6 

103.9 io5.u 107.0 

111.0 lI2.4 115.0 

W8.1 119.6 121.2 

124.7 125.5 126.8 

130.2 131.5 133.6 

136.5 I38.0 $42.0 

141.2 143.1 144.7 

149.6 150.6 153.0 

ts3.9 155.2 160.2 

160.5 162 .O 164.4 

168.7 169.5 171.6 

176.5 178.7 180.6 

177.5 178.2 181.9 

i80.3 182.6 186.1 

$82.8 184.3 187.5 

183.9 IS%1 i89.6 

183.5 184.8 187.2 

93.6 94.9 97.2 

IO2.5 103.4 104.5 

109.8 110.7 l12.4 

116.5 118.8 I20.3 

t24.5 126.5 128.7 

I3O.i 132.2 134.7 

135.4 137.5 140.5 

140.7 142.6 147.1 

I48.1 150.4 153.8 

154.7 156.9 162.7 

161.9 164.7 165.9 

164.5 166.9 170.3 

166.9 168.2 172.3 

170.2 172.4 173.5 

169.4 171.4 173.3 

169.7 170.7 172.2 

169.1 I71.5 174.0 

169.5 170.4 172.1 

NOTE: Height without shoes. 
TtibIe 16. Height in centimeters for males 18-74 years of age--number examWed, mean, standard deviation, and selected percentUes, 

by race and age: Unfted States, 1976-80 

Race arid age 

I I 

I I kmber of 1 I 

Percent i 1 e 

I 

exam 1 ned 1 Standard I I I I 1 1 1 I I 

I 

pers*ns I IrAean 

I 

I I 

devlatlan I I I 10th 1 I 

I 

9th 

I 

15th 1 25th I 

I 

50th I 

I 

75th I I I 

I 

85th 

I 

90th 

I 

95th 

r r 

All races I/ 

M-74 years.............- .... 

98-24 yems .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

q5-44 yem-s .................. 

45-54 years................-. 

5%64 years........-.......~. 

65-74 years .................. 

WMte 

19-74 year5..-.....- ......... 

18-24 years 

25-34 years 

.................. 

.................. 

35-44 years .................. 

4sfii4 years.............- .... 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years ................... 

Black 

W-74 years .................. 

18-24 Yeats......-......- .... 

25-34 years......- ........... 

35-44 years..............-- .. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years.............- .... 

65-74 ye%rS .................. 

5.9% 175.5 7.2 163.9 166.4 168.2 171.1 175.7 180.4 482.9 184.5 187.0 

988 177.0 7.1 165.8 168-3 169.8 172.2 177.0 WI-6 183.9 186.0 189.6 

-1.067 176.7 6.7 f65.5 167.9 170.0 172-Z 176.8 181.2 483.6 185.3 $87.4 

745 176.3 7.3. 164.1 166.4 168.8 172.2 376.5 181.2 183.6 385.2 188.0 

690 175.2 6.6 164.5 167.2 168-3 170.7 175.1 f79.8 182.5 f84-3 185.7 

1,227 173-7 6.9 162.1 165.4 i66.8 j69.2 473.7 f78.5 180.6 182.2 184.6 

1,199 171.3 7.1 159.3 162.3 164.1 f66,3 171.5 f76.4 178.6 180.4 183.1 

5,148 175.7 7.1 164.2 t66.7 168.6 171.2 $75.9 180.5 183.0 184.6 187.2 

846 377-Z 7.0 166.3 168.6 170. I 172.4 177.1 181.9 184.1 186.4 189.7 

901 177.0 6.6 165.3 368.2 970.6 j72.5 177.0 181-4 t83-8 185.4 187-7 

653 176-7 7.3 164.5 166.7 169.6 172.6 176.8 181,7 383.7 185.8 188.0 

617 175.4 6.6 164.6 167.3 168.9 171-2 175-3 179.8 -182.5 $84.3 185.7 

1,086 173.8 6.8 163.1 365.6 167.2 169.5 173.6 178.5 180.7 182.2 184.5 

1,045 $71.6 6.9 159.6 f62.9 164.6 166-g f71.6 176.4 178.7 180.5 183.3 

649 175s 7.0 164.3 166.5 168. t 171.4 175-7 180-3 183.0 184.5 186-5 

421 176.7 7.0 f65,I $67.6 169-9 172.5 377-9 181.0 183.8 185.0 186-4 

139 376.7 6.9 165-5 168.5 169.6 172.4 177.1 181-8 583.2 184.7 187.1 

70 476.5 6.4 * 167.6 $70.7 j72.8 175.2 179.9 181.9 185.1 * 

62 174.2 6.7 * 167.6 167.7 169. i f72.8 178.4 183-Z 184.5 * 

129 d74.2 6.9 162.7 165.3 166.8 168.6 174.6 178.8 180.7 182.8 186.8 

128 173.2 6.5 f61.2 t62.6 463.8 165.9 171.6 175.3 177.7 i80.8 182.2 

4/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

NOTE: Height without shoes. 
E Table 17. Height in centimeters for females 18-74 years of age--number examined, nresn, standard devfation, and selected percentfles, 

iby race and age: United States, j976-80 

1 I I I 

Race and age 

I I I 

f 

I 

Number of I I I 

Percentile 

I exam 1 ned I I t I 1 I I 1 I 1 t 

I I 

persons I Mean 

i Standard 

deviation I 5th 1 40th I I I I I 1 I 

1 1 I I I 

i5t)l I 

25th 

I 

50th 

I 

75ttl 

1 

85-m 

1 

90th 

I 

95th 

All races l/ 

$8-74 years .................. 

lEj-24 years .................. 

25-34 yQ?!WS,,,, .............. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

Whi ts 

W-74 yearis .................. 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 ye8rs..........- ....... 

%lack 

b-74 years .................. 

W-24 years....-.-.......- ... 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years ................... 

6,588 161 .B 6.6 150.9 153.6 155.2 157.4 161.7 166.3 168.6 170-3 172.6 

f.066 163.4 6.6 152.9 155-2 156-3 459.0 163.7 167.6 170.0 171.6 174.0 

i,170 163.1 6.3 153-2 155.2 i56.6 158.7 163. I 167.6 169.9 171.3 173.7 

844 162.8 6.3 152.6 $55.5 156.7 158.5 162.5 167.0 169.3 f71.Q 173.5 

763 161.3 6.4 i50.5 152.9 i54.5 156.8 161-3 165.6 167.7 $69.4 171.8 

j.329 i60.. 6.4 149.2 Si.8 i53.7 i55.9 160.3 q64.5 166.7 168.0 170-3 

1,416 158.1 6.2 147.9 i50..0 151.7 154/I 158.4 f62m2 164.5 166-O 167.7 

5,686 161.9 6-5 154.3 153.8 155.4 157.6 f61.9 166.4 468.7 170.3 172.7 

892 163.7 6.4 153.1 155.7 157.1 159.4 163.9 167.7 170.1 474.8 174.0 

Loo0 163.3 6.2 153.5 155-4 156.8 158.9 163.3 167.8 l7cL 1 i7i.5 373.7 

726 162.9 6.3 f52.6 j55.6 156.7 j58,4 162.6 f67.0 169.4 171.2 1173.6 

647 t6f.5 6.2 $51.5 153.6 155.2 157.2 $61.3 f65.7 167.6 $69.4 171.7 

1,176 160.1 6.3 149.6 i51.9 153.9 i56.f i6Q.3 $64.4 166.5 167.7 170-I 

f,24S *%I. f 6.2 147-B *5&i 151.7 154-f 158.5 $62-2 f64.5 166.0 f67.7 

782 162-l 6.7 150.6 154.2 155.2 f57.6 162.2 166-6 168.9 170.4 173=&o 

VI7 

i45 

103 

100 

135 

152 

163-2 6.9 152.8 155.4 156.4 i58.6 163.0 168-f 170.2 171.1 174.8 

i62.3 6-3 WI.3 154.8 156.3 158.1 162.5 166.2 168.6 170.4 174.1 

i63.3 5.5 fs5.2 156.9 357-3 159.7 162.5 i67.0 168-7 170.1 171.7 

16j.7 6.9 exL4 152.6 154.4 155.2 162.1 167.5 169.3 170-5 171.9 

l6i.Q 7.4 448.7 149-2 153.4 155.8 f6i.8 t66.5 169-l 17t.o 174.5 

158.8 6.2 148-Z 150.4 i52.6 j55.6 159.4 t63.0 i64.7 166.4 169.4 

i/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

NOTE: Height Mthout shoes. 
table $8. Recumbent length +n centQneters for persons 6 months-3 years of age-number examined, mean. standard deviation, and 

@elect&d percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

1 r 1 I 

sex and age 

. 

I I I I 

I I Number of I I I Percent i 1 e 

exiwnined I I Standard 1 I I I I I 1 I 

I persons I I Mean I t deviation I I 5th I I I 

I I 

10th l 15th 

I 25th I I 50th 1 75th I 

I I 85th I I 

I 

90th 1 95th 

I I I I I ? 

6-11 mOnths...r...r....-.... 176 72.9 3.8 66.8 68.4 69.5 70.5 73.3 75s 76.1 77.1 78.8 

i yeSr......~..-......-....... 366 82.4 5.0 75-7 76.7 77.8 79.3 82.1 85.5 87.2 88.1 89.9 

2 yearn...............-...... 373 91.6 4.3 84.3 86.5 87.4 88.7 91.5 94.6 96-O 96-S 98.4 

3 ye~rs..........~........... 397 99.5 4.4 92.9 94.6 95.5 96.6 99-2 102.4 103.9 105.4 w6.7 

6- 11 months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

t year .I..................... 

2 years .I.................... 

3 yeWfL..............-..... 

176 7-l-2 4.5 64-5 66.2 66.8 68.4 71.3 74.2 75.5 76.5 77.5 

333 80-3 4.5 73-f 74.7 76.0 77.0 80.1 83.2 85.3 86.5 87.8 

333 m-2 4.2 83.8 84-5 85.8 87.4 90.3 92.8 94.1 95.4 97.6 

357 97.7 4.9 89.9 9L8 93.0 94.8 98.0 101.1 102.9 Rl4.1 105. j 
Ez TiibM 19. Sitting height fn centfaeters for persons 2-)9 years o? age-number examined, man, standard deviation. and selected 

tiercent)les, by sex and age: United States, 7976-80 

Sex and age 

1 . 

I I I I 

I I I I Percent i I e 

I 

Number of 

ewmfned I I I Standard I I I f I I 1 1 I 

1 I I I I I I I I I 

1 perSonS I 

I Mean I devfation I 5th 

I 

10th I 15th 

I 

25th 

I 

50th 

! 

75th I 85th 

I 

90th 

1 

95th 

Male 

2 years ...................... 375 54.0 2.6 50.0 51.0 51.0 52.0 54.0 56.0 57.0 57.0 58.0 

3 years ...................... 418 57.f 2.6 52.1 54.0 54. t 56.0 57.0 59-o 60.0 60.0 61 .u 

4 years..-..- ................ 404 60.0 3.3 55.1 56.0 57.0 58.0 60.0 62.0 63.0 63. I 64.1 

5 years ...................... 397 62.5 3-o 58.0 59.0 59.1 60.1 63.0 64.1 65.1 66.1 67.1 

itii years....-...- ............. 133 65.3 2-7 6f.0 62.0 63.0 64.0 65.1 67.1 68.1 69.0 69.4 

7 years ...................... 148 67.4 2-9 63.0 64.0 64.1 66.0 67.1 69.1 70.4 71. I 71.1 

8 years ...................... 147 69.5 3.8 64.1 65.f 66.1 68.0 69. i 72.0 73.1 74.0 75-l 

9 years..............-..-.- .. 145 71.4 3.0 66.4 68.0 68.1 69.1 72 -0 74 .u 74.4 75- 1 76.1 

10 years ..................... 157 74.f 3.5 69.0 69.1 70.1 72.0 74.0 77.0 78.1 79.0 80. I 

rl years ..................... 155 75.9 4.0 69.1 71 .u 72.0 73.1 76.1 78.1 SO. 4 81.3 82-6 

12 years...................~. $45 78.6 4.2 72.1 73.1 74.1 76.0 78.6 81.1 82.3 84.7 85.9 

f3 years ..................... 173 81.8 5.2 74.1 75.1 76.0 77.1 82.1 05.7 88 .u 88.8 89.7 

14 years ..................... 186 86.0 5.2 76.1 79.1 80.4 83.0 86.5 90.0 91.5 92.1 93.f 

15 years ..................... 184 88.4 4.2 84.2 83.5 B4-5 85.6 88.6 91.3 92.8 93.7 95.9 

t6 years...~.~ ............... 178 90-2 5.4 84.4 85.8 86.5 88.0 91.0 93.1 94.1 95.0 96.0 

47 years................- .... 173 91-3 3.9 84.4 86.2 87.9 89.1 91.5 93.9 95.4 96.4 97.3 

18 years ..................... 164 92.2 3.7 86.5 87.1 88.0 89.4 92.3 94.5 96.0 97.3 98.0 

19 years ..................... 148 92-6 3.7 86.6 87.3 88.4 90.4 92.4 95.4 96.7 97.3 98.8 

Female 

. 

2 years.....~ ................ 336 52.7 2.4 49.0 50.0 50. I 51.0 53.0 54.0 55.0 56.0 56.j 

3 ye8rs...................~ .. 366 55.7 2.8 51 .o 52.0 53.0 54.0 56.0 58.0 59.0 59.0 60.0 

4 years ...................... 396 58.8 2.7 54.0 55.0 56.0 57.0 59.0 61.0 6f.l 62.0 63.0 

5 years ...................... 364 61.6 3.1 57.0 58.0 59.0 60.0 62.0 64.0 64.1 65.1 66. I 

6 years-....-.............- .. -135 64.3 3.5 60.0 60.0 61.0 62.0 64.1 66.3 68.0 68.1 70.0 

7 years ...................... 157 66.7 3.2 62.0 63.0 64.0 65.0 67.0 69.0 70.0 70. I 72.0 

8 years ...................... 123 69.3 3.0 64.1 66.0 67.0 67.3 69. i 71-j 72.0 73.< 74.1 

9 years ...................... 149 70.9 3.9 65.0 66.3 68.0 68.1 71.0 73.0 74.1 76.2 77.3 

10 years..-..~ ............... 136 73.9 3.5 68.1 70.0 70.1 72.0 74.0 76.0 78.0 78.6 81.0 

ii years.......-.....~.~..~ .. MO 77.0 4.1 70.i 72.0 73.1 74.9 77.0 79.1 81.1 82.1 84.4 

12 years..-..-.......-.- ..... 147 80.6 4.2 73.9 75.0 76-O 78-O 81.0 83-7 85.4 85.9 86.8 

13 years ..................... 162 82.7 4.1 76.1 78.0 78.1 80. I 83.0 85.5 86.6 87.5 89.8 

4.4 years ..................... 178 84.8 3.8 78.1 79.1 80.6 82.0 85.2 07.5 88.9 89.5 90.6 

15 years ..................... 145 65.9 3.3 80.1 81. I 82.2 84.0 86.1 87.6 89.2 90.4 91.7 

46 years ..................... 170 86.1 3.4 80.0 81.5 82.3 84.5 86.4 88.2 89.1 90.4 91.8 

17 years ..................... 134 06.7 3.5 81.0 82.5 83.0 84.5 86.4 88.8 90.4 91.4 93.1 

iE3 years ..................... 170 86.5 3.6 80.1 81.6 83. I 84.1 86.7 88.6 90.0 90.6 92.3 

19 years ..................... 158 86.6 2.9 81.9 82.8 83.9 85.0 86.8 88.2 89.1 90.2 9t.o 
Table 20. S+tting height in centjmeters for males 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, St%nd%rd deviation, and selected 

percentUes, by race mad age: United States, 1976-BQ 

I I I 1 

Race and age 

1 I I I 

I I I Number of l I I Percent j 1 e 

, 

examined I S tandsrd I 1 I I 1 1 I I 1 

I persons I I Mean I devfation I 5th I 10th I I I I I I I 

I I I I I 15th i 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th 

1 ! 95th 

All r8ces I/ 

48-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years ................... 

65-74 ye8rs .................. 

White 

d-74 years..........- ....... 

48-24 years .................. 

25-34 years............- ..... 

35-44 yezws .................. 

45-54 years........-- ........ 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years......- ........... 

%l%Ck 

48-74 years..........-- ...... 

18-24 years. ................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,916 92.2 3-B 85.9 87.3 88-3 89.8 92.3 94-7 96.0 97.0 98.3 

988 92.8 3.7 87.0 88.3 89.0 90-3 92.7 95.1 96.7 97.6 98.9 

1,067 93.4 3.5 87.6 88.6 89-5 90.7 93-l 95.4 96.6 97.7 99.0 

745 92.8 3.7 B6.5 87.9 89.1 90.3 92.9 95.3 96.5 97.1 98.6 

690 92.0 3.4 86.3 87.6 88.5 90.0 92.2 94.3 95.5 96.5 97.5 

I.227 9f .o 3.6 85.1 86.5 87.1 88.5 91. I 53.5 94.8 95.7 96.7 

I, 199 89.4 3.8 83.2 84.5 85.6 86.8 B9.6 92-l 93.6 94.2 95.5 

5,148 92.5 3.7 86.5 e 87-9 88-8 90.1 92-6 95.0 96-3 97.2 98.5 

846 93.3 3.5 $7.6 88.9 89.8 90.9 93.1 95.5 97, f 97.8 99.2 

901 93.5 3.4 88.2 89.3 90.0 91.3 93.5 95.6 97.1 98.0 99.4 

653 93.2 3.6 86.9 88.6 89.5 90.9 93.2 95.6 96-6 97.4 98.8 

64-7 92.3 3.3 86.6 88.1 89.0 90.4 92.5 94.5 95-7 96.7 97.6 

1,086 91.2 3.6 85.4 86.7 87.4 88-B 91.4 93.6 94.9 95.9 97.1 

1,045 89.8 3.7 %3,6 85, I 86.f 87.4 89.9 92.3 93.7 94.5 95.6 

649 89-6 

121 89.7 

439 903 

70 90.2 

62 139.3 

129 89.0 

128 86.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.4 

3.9 

3.0 

3.5 

3.5 

83.6 B5.0 86-l 87.1 89.7 92.0 93.7 94-4 95.5 

84.3 85.2 86.3 87.3 90. q 91.9 93.5 94-l 94.8 

85.0 85.9 87.0 88.1 90.3 93.1 94.3 94.6 96.2 

3 85.6 86.6 87.6 90.2 93.0 94-B 95-o * 

* 85.2 86.4 86.7 89.2 91.7 92.7 93.8 * 

82.5 84.8 85-8 86.8 89.1 91.7 92.4 93.5 96.2 

81.3 82.5 82.9 84.6 86.5 89.6 90.7 9t.3 92.6 

f/ IncIudes al1 other races not shown as separate categories. 
kii Tdble 21, Sitting height In centimeters for females 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard devfation, and selected 

percent i 1 cs, by race and age: United States, 1976-W 

I 

‘ I 1 1 

Race and age 

1 . . . 

I I I 1 

I I I I Percent 3 1 e 

1 Number Of I 

I 

examined I Standard I - 1 I I 1 I 1 i I - 

I I I persons I Mean I deviatjon l 5th 1 10th I 15th t I I 1 I I . 

I I I I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

I t B 

All races i/ 

4 8-74 years .................. 

18-24 year6 .................. 

25-34 years...rr....~ ........ 

3.5-44 ye8rs .................. 

45-54 yedrs .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

e-74 years .................. 

Wh1 te 

6,588 86.1 3.7 80.0 81-4 82.5 83.8 86.1 88.5 89.8 90.6 91.9 

1,066 86.9 3.4 81.4 82.8 83.5 84.7 87-O 89.2 90.4 91.2 92.3 

1,170 87.0 3.6 81.3 82.8 83.6 84.8 87.0 89.4 90.4 91.4 92.5 

844 B6.9 3.4 81.4 82.6 83.6 84.8 87.0 89.1 90.4 9i.f 92.4 

763 86.0 3.4 80.3 81.6 82.5 B3.8 86.0 88.4 89-5 90.5 91.7 

-l,329 84.8 3.4 79.1 80.5 81.3 82.6 85.0 87.3 88.5 89.4 90.t 

1,436 83.1 3.4 77.3 78.5 79.5 81.0 83.3 85.5 86.7 87.5 88.5 

itb74 years..*........- ...... 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years.............- .... 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

BlZtCk 

5,686 86.4 3-6 80.4 81-B 82.8 84.1 86.5 88.7 90-O 90.7 92.0 

892 87.4 3.2 82.2 83.3 84.1 85.3 87.4 89.5 90.6 91.5 92.5 

ho00 87.4 3-3 81.9 83.3 84.1 85-4 87.3 89.6 90.6 91.6 92.6 

726 87.2 3.3 82-O 83.2 84.i 85.1 87.2 89.4 90.6 91.4 92.6 

647 86.2 3.3 80.6 82.0 83.0 84.3 86.2 88.3 89.8 90.5 91.9 

1,176 85.0 3.4 79.5 80.7 81.6 82.9 85.1 87.5 88.6 89-5 90.1 

1,245 $3.3 3.4 77.5 78.8 79.9 81.1 835 85-6 86.8 87.6 1B8.6 

W-74 years .................. 702 84.1 3.4 78.5 79.6 80.4 81 .a 84.1 86.2 87.5 8B.4 89.5 

18-24 years .................. 147 84.5 3.5 79.1 80.1 81.1 82.6 84-4 86.4 87.6 89.0 90.6 

Z!5-34 years................-. 145 84.5 3.2 78.9 80. f 81.0 %2.5 84.4 86.5 88.0 88.4 89.5 

35-44 years........-.......-. 103 84.7 3-I 79.5 80.6 8l.i 82.5 85.1 87.2 88.1 88.5 89.4 

45-54 years .................. 100 84.0 3.3 78.5 79.4 80.4 81.7 84.1 86.7 87.7 88.3 %9-4 

55-64 years .................. 135 83.2 3-3 78.2 78.9 79.6 80.5 83.4 85.5 86.7 86.5 88.8 

65-74 years......: ........... 152 81.6 3.2 76.5 77.2 77.0 79.1 81.6 84 .U 85.1 85.5 86.8 

4/ Includes al1 other races not shown as separate categories. 
Table 22. Crown-rump length in centimeters for persons 6 months-3 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-M) 

Sex and age 

I I I 1 

I I I I t 

I I I I 

Percent i Ie 

I 

Number of 

exami ned I I I 1 1 J I I I I 1 

1 

I persons I Mesn 

I Standard 

deviation I 5th I I I I I I I I 

1 I I I 10th I 15th I 25th I 50th 

I 

75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

Male 

6-H months.1 ................ 178 45.5 2.3 49-6 42.9 43.4 44.2 45.5 46.8 48.2 48.6 49.0 

I year ....................... 364 50.3 2.8 45.9 46.9 47.7 48.3 50.3 52.2 53.0 53.5 54.6 

2 year8 ...................... 373 53.8 2.6 49.7 50-6 51.2 52.1 53-7 55.3 56.6 57.2 58.3 

3 years ...................... 401 56.7 2.8 51.8 53.0 54.1 55.3 56.7 58.4 59.6 60-f 6f.l 

fema 1 e 

6-M mouths .................. 174 44.5 2.6 39.8 40.3 41.4 42.9 44.8 46.2 46.9 47.5 48.9 

1 year ....................... 331 48-8 2.8 44.3 45.6 46.2 47-2 48.7 50.4 51.3 52.4 53.6 

2 years ...................... 332 52.7 2.3 49. i 49.9 50.4 51.2 52.8 54.3 54.8 55.6 57.0 

3 yearSI.....-..---.......- .. 356 55.6 2.0 51 .o 52 .o 52.6 53-7 55.7 57.6 58.6 59.3 60. =I 

Table 23. Cumulative percent distr3butfon of wejght in pounds for males f8-74 years of age, accordfng to age: UnHed States, 

1976-80 

Weight 

I 1 a J t 1 I i 

I I I I I I I I 

I 1 20-74 1 18-74 I I I I I 

I 

years I 

yeZWS I 

M-24 I 2S- 34 I 

35-44 ’ I 

45-54 55-64 

years I years I years I I 

65-74 

I t years I I years I years 

Cumulative percent distrlbutbn 

Less than 100 P~undS..~..........-.-.-*..- .......... 0.4 0.j 0.2 

tess than 140 pounds ................................ o-5 0.5 0.6 0.; 0.7 

Less thein 420 POu~ds.................“...~..- ....... 1.6 l-8 2.3 1.0 1.3 1.3 

Less than 130 pounds ................................ 4.9 5.3 7.7 4.1 4.3 3.2 

less than 140 pOundSI-- ............................. H-4 32.2 20.4 IO. 9 %A 7.6 

Less than isO pounds.....~...........~ .............. 22.1 23.2 35.9 21.8 15.5 $7.1 

hss tbn $60 pounds.~-....................- ........ 34.8 36.3 52.4 35.1 26.7 27.2 

Less than $70 pounds.-.-.........~..........---- .... 49.2 50.7 66.7 48.0 43.2 43.4 

less than 180 pounds ................................ 63.2 64.4 78.7 62.3 54.9 57.6 

Less than 190 pounds ................................ 75.6 76.4 86.2 77.5 68.4 68.7 

Less than 200 pounds .............. .................. 83.5 84.3 90.3 84.6 79.2 77.4 

Less than 2t0 pounds ................................ 89.4 89.7 93.3 90.1 85.8 85.7 

Less than 220 Pounds ................................ 93.0 93.2 95.2 93.5 91 .o 90.7 

LesS thitn 230 pounds...........- .................... 95.8 95.9 97.0 95.4 94.9 94.6 

Less than 240 pounds .... ............................ 97.6 97-6 98.8 96.5 97.3 96-9 

Less than 250 pounds ................................ 98.6 98.6 99.2 97.8 98.8 98.4 

A11 wi$ght categories ............................... 100.0 ioo-0 fOO.0 fuu-0 -WQ.O mQ.0 

0.1 0.5 

0.7 1.4 

1.4 5.0 

4.1 103 

9.5 18.5 

39.5 30.3 

32.3 44.7 

47.9 57.7 

62.5 71 .Q 

75.8 82.0 

f35.2 89.0 

90.6 94.2 

93.4 96.4 

96.3 98.2 

98.-l 99.2 

98.4 99.6 

100.0 1QU.O 

NOTE: fncludes clothing wejght, estimated as ranging from 0.20 to 0.62 pound. 
% Table 24. Cumulative percent distribution of weight in pounds for females 18-74 years of age, according to age: United States. 

1976-80 

Weight 

I I I I I 1 I I 

I I I I I I I I 

I 20-74 ’ 18-74 I 18-24 I 25-34 I 

I I I I I 35-44 ’ I 45-54 I I 

years I years I years I years I years I years I 55-64 I 65-74 I I 

years I years 

less than 90 pounds ................................ 0.5 0.5 

less than 100 pounds ................................ 2.7 2.7 

Less than 110 pounds ................................ 8.8 8.9 

Less than 120 pounds ................................ 21.0 21.5 

Less than 130 pounds ................................ 35.7 36.9 

Less than 140 pounds ................................ 52.2 53.6 

Less than 150 pounds ................................ 65. I 66.3 

Less than 160 pounds ................................ 74-9 75.7 

Less than 170 pounds ................................ 81.9 82.6 

Less than 180 pounds ................................ 86.9 87.4 

Less than 190 pounds ................................ 90.8 91.1 

Less than 200 pounds ................................ 93-7 93.9 

Less than 210 pounds ................................ 95.5 95.6 

Less than 220 pounds ................................ 96.7 96.B 

less than 230 pounds ................................ 97-6 97.6 

Less than 240 pounds ................................ 98.3 98.3 

less than 250 pounds ................................ 98-S 98-9 

Less than 260 pounds ................................ 99.3 99.3 

Less than 270 pounds ................................ 99.5 99.5 

Less than 280 pounds ................................ 99.6 99.6 

All weight categories ............................... lcx3.0 100.0 

Cumulative percent distribution 

o-7 0.4 0. I 

3.6 3.3 1.7 

12.7 10.7 6.1 

30.6 25.6 17.8 

52.3 41.3 32.3 

69.7 59.1 50.4 

80.8 71.7 63.6 

R6.8 79. I 73.0 

91.7 84.2 80.2 

94-2 88-6 84.5 

96.2 91.3 88.8 

97.5 94.1 91.9 

97.8 95.4 94.0 

98.4 96.9 95.2 

98.7 97.8 96.5 

99.0 98.7 97.5 

99.2 98.9 98.5 

99.6 99.2 99.0 

IOU.0 99.3 99-3 

100.0 99.4 99.7 

100.0 mu.0 lUO.0 

0.7 

2-4 

6.9 

17.0 

29.0 

44.5 

56.7 

69.3 

77.3 

84.3 

89.1 

92.5 

94.6 

96.1 

97-2 

97.8 

98.7 

99.1 

99.3 

99.3 

100.0 

0-5 0.5 

2.1 3.1 

6.9 8.4 

15-7 17.3 

29.0 29.5 

43.4 45.3 

56.9 60.4 

67.8 73.3 

77.4 81.3 

83.8 86-9 

88.7 91.5 

92.5 94.6 

95.3 96.4 

96.7 97-4 

973 98.0 

98.2 98.8 

98.9 99.3 

99-4 99.7 

99.5 99.8 

99.7 99.8 

1oo.u 100-O 

NOTE: Includes clothing weight, estitnated as ranging from 0.20 to 0.62 pound. 
TtrbIe 25. CunUzttWe percent d3strlbtttion of height in $nches for males 18-74 years of age, according to age: UnIted States, 

1976-80 

Height 

I i I I I I I I 

I 1 I I I I I I 

I 20-74 I 18-74 I W-24 ’ I 25-34 I 35-44 I 45-54 I I 

I I I I 55-64 

years I I 

years I years I years I 65-74 

I years I years I years I f I I years 

Cumulative percent dlstrlbution 

Less than 60 inches ................................. u-2 0.2 0.2 0-i 0.3 0.3 0.2 

less than 61 inches ................................. o-4 0.4 O-2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.7 f.2 

Less than 62 4nches ................................. 0.8 0-B U-3 o-4 0.9 0.7 0.9 2.7 

less than 63 Incas...........-.--......-.--- ....... j-9 1.8 0.6 0.5 2.1 I.5 2.8 6.0 

Less than 64 4nches ................................. 3.7 3-6 2.4 I.5 3-7 2.6 5.3 IO.5 

tess than 65 inches.-...........-.............~ ..... 7.0 6.8 3.8 4.4 6.4 5.7 9-3 18.3 

less than 66 3nche5............................-- .... 13.4 13.1 8.2 9.5 12-4 11.4 17.5 29-4 

Less than 67 Inches.-.....-...........--..-....- .... 21.6 21.2 $6.2 15.2 17.6 21.2 29.1 41.6 

Less than 68 inches..............-...--~..-.--.-.- .. 33.4 33.1 26.7 26.7 26.4 33.6 43.5 57.8 

Less than 69 Incas ................................. 47.7 47.2 38.9 39.7 42.5 50.4 58.2 70.0 

Less than 70 inches-...................-.......- .... 61.9 64.4 53-7 55-4 57.0 63.4 71.5 82.0 

Less than 71 inc~s...........-........~..- ......... 74.7 74.5 68.2 69.7 70.7 76.9 83.1 89.6 

Less than 72 inches ................................. 84.6 84.5 80.1 81.6 81.1 85.8 91-u 94-5 

less than 73 i~hes......-.....................-..-. 92.0 91.9 88.5 90.0 90.0 93.4 96.3 97.8 

Less than 74 Inches ................................. 96-I 96-O 92.7 95.6 95.1 98.0 97.7 99.2 

less than 75 inches.......~......~........~~ ........ 98.2 98.1 96.2 98.0 97.8 99.4 98.9 99.9 

tess than 76 ~nches......-~-).......~-...- .......... 99.3 99.3 98.4 99.2 99.2 99-7 99.8 mo.0 

All height categories..........--.-..*..--.......- .. 100.0 100.0 100.0 iUO.0 loo.0 Kmu 100.0 100.0 

bdOTft tleight wlthout shoes- 
Table 26. Cumulative percent distrfbution of height jn Inches for females 18-74 years of age, according to age: Unlted States, 

1976-80 

He 1 ght 

1 I I I I I I I 

1 I I I I I I I 

I 20-74 I 18-74 I Ut-24 I 25-34 I 35-44 I 1 I 

I years I I 

years I 

I 45-54 

years I 

1 

years I years I I 55-64 65-74 

I I I years I years I 

I 

years 

Cumulative percent dfstributlon 

Less than 55 3nches ................................. 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.4 

Less than 56 Incas 0.3 0.3 0.1 

0.; 

................................. 0. I 0.3 0.5 LO 

Less than 57 I~~s.................~....- .......... 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.3 0 . . 3 I.1 2.3 

Less than 58 inches ................................. 1.6 1.6 o-9 0.6 I.0 =I.2 3.0 4-2 

Less than 59 inches ................................. 3.8 3.8 2.2 d-7 1.9 4.2 6. -4 9.3 

Less than 60 Inches ................................. 7.5 7.4 4.2 3.7 4.6 8.9 VI.4 17.2 

Less than 61 inches..-....~.......................-. 13.9 13.6 9.1 8.6 7.8 16.2 49.7 29.0 

L@ss than 62 Inches........................~ ........ 25.1 24.7 17.8 19.1 18.2 27.7 31.7 44.3 

Less than 63 IncheS..~.......- ...................... 38.6 38.1 29.1 33.0 33.3 39.8 45.9 59.2 

Less than 64 inches..........- ...................... 54.5 53.9 41.8 47.4 49.9 57.2 63.9 76.4. 

LBSS than 65 inches..................--.-..-.-...- .. 68.1 67.8 58.4 61.4 63.9 70.5 77.4 87.0 

Less than 66 inches ................................. 81.3 81.2 74.8 74.9 78.1 84.6 88.9 94.6 

Less than 67 Inches............................- .... 89.6 89.5 85.4 85.7 87.9 91.2 94.6 97.9 

Less than 68 inches ................................. 95.0 94.9 92.3 93.3 93.4 96.3 97.7 99.2 

Less than 69 #nches..............- .................. 97.8 97.8 96.2 97.2 97.2 98.2 99.4 99.8 

Less than 70 inches..-- ............................. 99.3 99.3 98.3 99.5 99.2 99.6 99.8 99.9 

Less than 71 inches...................~....- 99.7 99.7 99.4 99.7 99.4 99.8 99.8 100.0 ........ 

AlI height categories ............................... 100.0 mo.0 mo.0 loo.0 fOO.0 -NlO.O W3.0 -HXLO 

f&TE: Height wIthout shoes. 
iable 27, Number of males 18-74 years of age, by weight and height: United States, 1976-W 

Height 

I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I 

I I Less 1 I I I I I I t I I I - I I 

I 230 

I than 1 HO- I I I I I I I 

110 119 I j20- I 130~ I 740- I i5V- I f60- l 170- I I I I I I 

I I I I f29 I f39 I 149 I 159 

I 

?69, 

t 

179 

f80- l 

I $89 

1900 200- , 210- I 220. ~pounds 

I 199 I 

I 209 219 229 

lTotal pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds,pounds,poundsIpou~~s, nk I I I 

I I 1 I I 1 I I I t I f 1 I I 

Number of persons in thousands 

iotal...................... 67,555 334 869 2,378 4.693 7,402 8,843 9,723 9,257 8,106 5,217 3,%06 2,356 1,801 2.770 

Less than 62 inches ........ 544 

62 jnches................F. 668 

63 inches .................. f,222 

64 inches..- ............... 2,174 

65 inches .................. 4,211 

66 inches .................. 5.536 

67 inches .................. 7,980 

68 h&es .................. 9,566 

69 inches .................. 9,578 

70 I~hes...........-.-.~ .. 8,867 

71 Inches .................. 6,717 

32 inches .................. 5,019 

73 inches .................. 2,745 

74 Inches .................. 1,466 

75 inches 0r risore .......... 1,263 

41 

38 

66 

33 

53 

50 

I2 

29 

7 

4 

70 

34 

65 

4 TO 

191 

131 

?02 

77 

II 

37 

32 

9 

foe 42 

94 102 

195 ?97 

237 381 

177 57% 

457 555 

324 780 

319 743 

322 488 

io4 455 

22 242 

=i9 67 

20 

7 42 

130 

396 

286 

376 

w6 

843 

1,087 

1.127 

960 

900 

453 

217 

4$ 

38 69 24 8 19 - 

33 35 33 4% 15 

436 03 98 33 29 - 

413 $81 231 W6 62 7 

820 556 363 269 161 m4 

910 986 547 515 252 IO5 

f,237 1,174 I. $8) 301 429 319 

1,351 1,625 i,328 1,152 686 390 

1,169 1,547 3,436 1,286 747 750 

1,041 1,450 1,313 t,334 710 479 

911 BIB 1,103 %6% 692 481 

392 716 %31 765 696 436 

228 356 322 483 370 306 

76 73 203 270 243 191 

47 24 245 168 -121 173 

?O 11 - 

3 c 

8 30 

30 30 25 

58 43 83 

135 454 245 

284 250 205 

390 155 310 

441 252 347 

377 217 500 

216 251 404 

190 203 226 

156 84 149 

58 121 306 

NOTE: bight wtthout shoes. Includes clothing weight, estimated as ranging from 0.20 to 0.62 pound. 
% table 28. !4umber OP females W-74 years of age, by weight and height: United States, 19X-80 

Height 

I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I 

I I I I Less I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 

I than 9U- I 

I I I I loo- I I IIO- 1 120- I 130. I%- I I I f I I 1 220 

I 

I I 

90 1 99 109 119 129 I 

I I I I 139 159 I ISO- l l70- l l%O- f 190- I 200- l 210- lpoUndS 

I 169 

1 

179 

Total pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds I 

189 

I 

199 

I 

209 

t 

219 I Or 

I I I I I I I pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds more I I I I I I 1 

Number of persons in thousands 

Total.-....~........ 74,173 362 1,677 4.571 9,364 11,42f 12,329 9,435 7,023 5,049 3,623 2,751 2,081 1,232 889 2,367 

hss +han 55 inches. 80 - 7 8 II 25 7 7 15 I 

55 inches........... 108 

3; 

$3 

4; 

4 .26 12 31 13 s - 

56 tnches..,...,.... 295 57 $2 55 25 44 25 - - 6 

57 inches..-....... 693 44 9f $07 90 55 415 76 26 24 9 $8 4 36 

58 fnches...-.....,. 1,612 93 464 $32 338 317 147 78 120 35 68 27 14 34 3 42 

59 Inches..~........ 2,681 50 196 262 552 342 365 297 201 $23 416 69 46 30 - 31 

60 Inches........... 4,648 86 267 538 621 722 775 451 334 261 239 128 99 54 30 40 

61 inches.....,,.... 8,203 12 368 754 1,286 f.355 <,089 877 807 439 308 269 240 123 110 364 

62 inctws........... 9,947 44 258 938 1,660 1,899 1.306 1,117 728 583 448 305 227 130 317 218 

63 ~nches.....~-.-.. V,735 32 165 843 1,729 3,776 1,600 j.565 1.006 817 655 477 357 277 f51 283 

64 fnches........... 10,270 - 30 531 I,%8 1,653 1,936 1.475 950 741 513 404 274 $47 198 280 

65 ihcheS....-m,... 9,942 - 64 283 873 I.582 2.162 1,183. 1,201 693 396 455 269 156 109 516 

66 inches........... 6,182 - IO 76 705 804 =l,36S 902 696 509 255 193 213 116 84 253 

69 Inches.......,.,. 3,991 - - 32 188 514 740 605 336 338 381 275 155 106 67 253 

68 Inches........... 2,131 - - 10 85 213 488 369 336 193 43 99 95 82 14 106 

69 hches--........ 1,454 - - 33 - 98 135 266 125 214 t-19 43 28 - 93 

70 jnches.,.....,.., 245 - - - 

1; 

6 38 56 52 49 46 - 25 3 - 

71 tnches or more.. - 257 L d6 55 42 30 28 - 75 4 5; 

‘kdOTf: Height without shoes. Includes clothing weight, estimated as ranging from 0.20 to 0.62 pound- 
Table 29. Trtceps skinfold In mfltimeters for persons 6 months-19 years of age--number examined. mean, standard deviatfon, and 

selected percenttles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-W 

I I I I ? I I I Percentile 

Sex and age 

i Number of i 

1 

exam i ned 

I 

I 

persons I Mean 

Male 

6-M months .................. 

I year ....................... 

2 years ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 years ...................... 

5 years ...................... 

6 ye8rsl.........~.......~ ... 

7 years ...................... 

8 years ...................... 

9 yeaf-b ...................... 

IO years ..................... 

it years ..................... 

12 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

14 years ..................... 

15 years ..................... 

16 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

18 years ..................... 

19 years.................1 ... 

Female 

6-U months .................. 

1 year ....................... 

2 years ...................... 

3 years...............-....-. 

4 years ...................... 

5 years ...................... 

6 years.........- ............ 

7 years. ..................... 

S years ...................... 

S.years ...................... 

IO years ...................... 

II years ..................... 

12 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

14 years ..................... 

f5 years ..................... 

I6 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

18 years ..................... 

19 years ..................... 

179 10.4 3.1 6.5 7.0 7.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 

370 IO. 4 2.7 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.5 10.0 i2.0 13.0 14.0 15.5 

375 IO. 2 2.9 6.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 13.0 14.5 15-u 

418 10.0 2.6 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 9.5 11.5 12.5 13.0 15.0 

404 9.6 3.0 6.0 6.5 7-o 7.5 9.0 il.0 12.0 i3.0 15.0 

397 8.9 2.9 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 8.0 10.5 11.5 12.5 14.5 

133 9-3 4.4 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 a.0 10.5 t2.0 t3.0 17.5 

148 9-2 4.0 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 8.5 II.0 12.0 15.0 17.5 

t47 10.5 4.9 5.5 6-O 6.0 7.0 9.0 12-O t6.5 17.0 22-O 

145 10.6 5.7 5.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 9.0 12.5 16.0 t9.0 23.0 

157 12.6 6.6 5.0 6.0 6.5 7.5 t1.0 16.5 20.0 22.0 26.0 

155 13.3 7.7 4.5 5.5 6.0 7.5 to.5 17.0 22.0 25.0 30.0 

t45 12.4 6.4 5.0 6.0 6.0 8.0 11.0 f5,0 18.0 21.5 26.5 

173 11.2 7.0 5.0 5.5 6-O 7.0 9.0 12.5 16.5 20.5 22.5 

186 10.4 5.8 4.0 5.0 5.5 6.0 9.0 13.0 15.0 17.0 23.0 

184 IQ. 1 7.2 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 7.5 lL0 14.5 18.0 22.0 

t?8 10.9 6.6 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.5 8.0 13.0 18.5 20.5 25.5 

t73 a.5 4.6 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 7.0 io.5 12.5 15.0 18.0 

164 11.1 6.6 4.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 9.5 14.5 17.5 19-O 22.5 

148 10.9 6.1 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 9.0 13.0 16.0 18.5 23.0 

177 9.9 2.6 6.5 7.0 7.0 8.0 10.0 11.5 12.5 13.0 14.5 

336 10.6 3.3 6.0 7.0 7.5 8.0 10.5 t2.0 13.5 15.0 16.5 

336 10.6 3.0 6.0 7.0 7.5 8.0 iO.5 12.5 13.5 $5.0 16.0 

366 IO. 3 2.9 6.0 7.0 7.0 a-0 10.0 i2.0 12.5 13.5 16.5 

396 to.4 3.1 6.0 6.5 7.5 8.0 10-O 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.5 

364 10.6 3.2 6.0 7.0 7.5 8.5 10.5 12.5 14.0 14.5 16.0 

t35 Ii.0 3.9 6.0 7.0 7.5 8.0 id.0 i2.0 14.5 i6.0 i8.5 

is7 11.5 4.5 6.0 7.0 7.5 9.0 10.5 13.0 15.0 i8.0 20.0 

t23 11.9- 5.2 6.0 6.5. 7.0 8.5 11.0 14.0 i6.0 18.0 2f.0 

149 14.3 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.5 10.0 13.0 16.0 20.0 23.0 27.0 

t36 14.5 5.9 7.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 13.5 18.0 21.0 22.5 24.5 

140 15.7 6.9 8.0 8.5 9.0 11.0 $4 . 0 19.5 21.5 23.0 29.5 

t47 15.1 6.0 7.5 8.0 9.0 11.5 13.5 18.5 21.5 23.0 27.0 

162 15.9 7.9 6-O 7.5 9.0 10.5 15.0 19.0 22.0 25.0 30.0 

178 17.6 7.5 8.0 10.0 io.5 12.0 17.0 21.5 25.0 29.5 32.0 

i45 17. I 7.1 8.5 9.5 10.0 Ii.5 16.5 20.5 24.5 26.0 32.1 

170 19.5 7.2 11.0 11.5 12.0 14.0 18.0 23.0 27.0 30.5 33. I 

t34 19.8 7.8 9.5 11.0 11.5 14.0 20.0 24.5 26.5 28.5 34.5 

170 19.9 7.6 11 .o 12.0 12.5 14.0 la.0 23.5 27.0 32.5 35.0 

158 20.4 7.6 10.5 tt.5 13.0 15.0 19-O 25.0 28.0 30.0 33.5 

I 

I Standard I I I I I 1 I I I 

devfatfon 5th I fOth I 15th I 25th I 

I I I I I 50th I I I I 

I 75th I 85th I 90th 

I 

95th 
$ Table 30. Triceps sklnfotd in mfllimeters for males 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard devtation. and selected 

Percentites, by race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

I I 

I I l Number of I 

Percentile 

examined I 

I Stanqard 

I 1 I 1 1 I 1 I 1 

I I I persons I Mean l deviation I 5th I I ?Oth I 15th I 25th 1 I I I I 

I I I I 50th I 75th 1 85th I 90th I 95th 

I I I I 1 I 

All races I/ 

18-74 years .................. 5,916 12.9 6.7 

18-24 years .................. 988 11.6 6.5 

25-34 years .................. 1,067 12.9 7.0 

35-44 years .................. 745 13.8 7.1 

45-54 years .................. 690 f3.5 6.7 

55-64 years .................. 1,227 13.2 6.3 

65-74 years .................. 1,199 12.7 6.1 

White 

38-74 years .................. 

M-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,148 13.0 6.6 

846 31.9 6.5 

901 13.1 6.9 

653 13.9 7.0 

617 13.4 6.5 

1,086 13.1 5.9 

1,045 12.9 6.0 

Black 

iB - 74 year3 l - .- .- .- h L .- .- c F c e h c .- .- c . 

18-;4-years .................. 

25-34 years ................... 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

649 I2 ..I 7-e 8 4.0 

121 9.7 6.4 

139 11.5 7.5 

70 13.0 8.1 

62 f5.0 8.7 

129 12.9 7.8 

328 11.6 6.7 

5.0 

4.5 

4.5 

5.0 

5.5 

5.0 

5.0 

5.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.0 

4.0 

3.5 f 

3.1 

4.0 

6.0 6.5 8.0 12.0 16.0 19.5 22.0 25.5 

5.0 6.0 6.5 10.0 15.0 17.5 20.0 24.5 

5.5 6.5 7.5 14.5 16.5 20.0 23.0 26.0 

6.0 7.0 9.0 12.5 17.0 20.0 23.0 27.0 

6.5 7.0 9.0 12.0 i6.5 20.0 22.0 25.5 

6.0 7.5 9.0 12.0 16.0 19.5 21.5 25.5 

6.0 7.0 8.0 11.5 16.0 18.5 21 .o 25.0 

6.0 7.0 8.0 16.0 19.5 22.0 25.5 

5.0 6.0 7.0 

6.0 7.0 8.0 

6.5 7.0 9.0 

6.5 7.5 9.0 

6.5 7.5 9.0 

6.5 7.0 8.0 

5.0 6.5 

12.0 

io.0 

12.0 

12.5 

12.0 

12.0 

12.0 

10.0 

7.5 

10.0 

11.0 

13.0 

10.5 

10.0 

15.0 18.0 20.0 25.0 

16.5 20.0 22.5 26.0 

17.0 21 .o 23.0 27.0 

16.5 20.0 21 .o 25.0 

16.0 19.0 21.0 24.5 

16.0 19.0 21 .o 25.0 

4.5 

4.0 

4.0 

5.0 

5.5 

4.5 

4.5 

16.0 19.0 23.0 27.0 

4.5 5.0 

5.0 6.0 

6.5 9.0 

6.0 9.0 

5.5 7.0 

5.5 7.0 

13.0 15.0 18.5 21.5 

15.5 39.0 23.0 24.5 

16.0 18.5 20.0 * 

18.0 25.5 27.5 * 

17.5 22.0 25.0 29.6 

14.5 16.0 f9.5 27.5 

I/ Mctudes all other races not shown as separate categorfes. 
Table 31, Triceps skinfold in millimeters for females 18-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard devfation, and selected 

percentiles, by race and age: United States. 1976-80 

Race and age 

. . I 

I I I I 

I Number of I I I 

Percentfle 

I exam 1 ned I I I t 

J 1 I I i I 1 I 

I I 

I persons I Mean 

I Standard 

deviation I 5th 1 10th I 35th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I I 

I I I I 1 I I I I 

90th I 95th 

J 

All races f/ 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25034.years .................. 

35-44 years-.....- ........... 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years.......- .......... 

65-74 years .................. 

6.588 24.9 9.8 11.0 13.0 15.0 17-5 24.0 31.0 35.1 38.0 43.0 

1,066 20.7 8.6 10-O 11.5 12-5 15-O 19.0 25-O 29.5 32.0 37.0 

1,170 23-6 9.9 10.0 13.0 14.0 16.5 22.0 29.0 33.5 36.6 43-5 

844 26.3 9.8 12.0 14-5 16.5 19.5 25.0 32.6 37.0 40.5 44.5 

763 27.5 9.7 f2.5 15.0 17.0 20.5 27-O 34.0 38-O 40.5 45.0 

1,329 27.2 9.5 12-o 15.0 17-5 21-O 26.5 33 -0 37.0 40.0 43.6 

1,416 25.7 9.0 12.0 i4.5 16.5 19.0 25.0 31.0 35.0 37.6 42.0 

Whfte 

W-74 years .................. 5,686 24.7 9.5 11.5 13.5 15.0 17.5 23.5 30.5 35-O 37.5 42.5 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

255-X4 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

alack 

892 20.8 8.5 10.5 11.5 13.0 15.0 19.0 25.0 29.0 32.0 37-l 

I.000 23.3 9.4 10.5 13-O 14-O 16.5 22.0 28.5 33.0 36.0 42.1 

726 26.1 9-6 12.0 14.5 16-Q 19.0 24.5 32.0 36.5 40.0 44.0 

647 27-2 9-4 13.0 15.0 16-5 20.5 27-O 33.0 37.0 40.0 43.1 

1, rir6 ‘27 .-0 9 .-4 T2 .s I3 .-0 f-7 z-5 21.0 26.0 32.6 36.5 39. I 43.1 

1,245 25.5 8.8 12.0 14.5 16.5 19.0 25.0 30.5 34.0 37.0 41.1 

M-74 years .................. 

tEj-24 years .................. 

25-34 years............-.-- .. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years ...... . ........... 

782 26.6 11.6 10.0 t2-0 14.0 17.5 25.5 35.0 39-o 42.5 48.0 

147 20.6 8.8 8.0 10.0 11.0 14-O 19-O 27.0 31.0 35.0 37.0 

145 25.5 12-2 8.0 11-O 13.0 16.0 24.0 32.0 37.0 47.0 49.5 

103 28.7 11.4 9.0 14.0 15.5 20.5 29.5 36.6 40.5 45.0 48.0 

100 31.6 11-8 10.5 16.0 20-O 23-5 31.5 40.0 43.5 48.5 53. I 

135 29.5 10.8 12-u 14-O 18.0 22.0 28.5 38.5 42.0 43.0 46.0 

152 29.0 10.5 11.5 14.5 17.0 21.5 29.0 ‘37.0 38.6 44.0 47.5 

l/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categorfes. 
R table 32- Subscapular sklnfold in mtllImeters for persons 6 months-19 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States. 1976-W 

Sam and age 

t t t I 

t I I I 

I Numr of I I I 

Percentile 

I l exam1 ned I I I Standard 1 I I I 1 1 I I I 

1 persons t I I I I I I I 

I .Mem I ckviat ion I 5th I 90th I 15th I 25tt-k I I 50th I 7955th i 85th 

I 

90th 

I 

95th 

el-11 rronths .................. 

1 Ysar ....................... 

2 yews ...................... 

3 y~rb-.....- ............... 

4 years ...................... 

S years ...................... 

6 years ...................... 

7 years- ..................... 

8 years ...................... 

9 years ...................... 

10 years ..................... 

11 years ..................... 

12 Yeats ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

t4 years ..................... 

45 years ..................... 

f6 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

i8 years ..................... 

19 years ..................... 

Female 

6-H months .................. 

1 year ....................... 

2 years ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 years ...................... 

S years ...................... 

6 years ...................... 

i years ...................... 

8 yeatx ...................... 

9 years ...................... 

40 years ..................... 

11 years ..................... 

12 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

14 years ..................... 

15 year& ..................... 

16 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

18 years ..................... 

t9 years ..................... 

179 6.5 f.9 4.0 5.0 5.0 5-s 6.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 

370 6.6 1.9 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.0 6.5 7.5 8.0 9.0 10.5 

375 6.9 2.2 3.5 4.0 4.0 5.0 5.5 7.0 7-5 9.0 XL0 

418 5.7 1.6 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.0 7.5 9.0 

404 5.5 2.2 3.5 3.5 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 7.5 9.0 

397 5.3 2.4 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 6.5 7.0 8.0 

133 6.0 3.9 3.5 3.5 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 8.0 IO.0 16.0 

148 5.8 3.1 3.5 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 7.5 11.5 

f47 6.7 4.9 3-5 4.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 6.5 8.0 11.0 21.0 

145 7-o 5.0 3.5 4’.0 4.0 4.5 6.0 7-o 10.0 12.0 15.0 

157 8.6 6.6 4.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 9.5 1t.5 17.0 22.0 

15s IO-0 8.5 4-o 4.0 4.5 5.0 6.5 10-O 17.5 25.0 31.0 

145 9.2 6.8 4.0 4.5 4-5 5-O 6.5 10.0 15.5 19.0 22-5 

173 9.1 7.3 4-O 4.5 5.0 5-o 7.0 9.0 f3.0 f5.0 24.0 

186 8.9 5.3 4-5 5.0 5.5 6.0 7.0 9.0 12.0 13.5 20.0 

184 10.0 a.2 5.0 5-5 6-O 6-O 7.5 to- 0 12.0 16.0 24.5 

178 i0.8 6.4 5.0 6.0 6.5 6.5 9.0 12.5 14.5 21.5 25.0 

173 IO. f 5.3 5.5 6.0 6.5 7-O 8.5 11.5 14.Q 17.0 20.5 

164 11.9 6.7 6.0 7.0 7.0 a.0 10.0 14.0 16.0 18-O 24.0 

148 12.5 6.9 7.0 7.0 7.5 S-0 10.5 t3.5 16.5 22.0 29.0 

177 

336 

336 

366 

396 

364 

135 

157 

123 

$49 

136 

140 

147 

162 

178 

145 

170 

134 

170 

158 

6.7 

6.7 

6-5 

6.3 

6.2 

6.5 

6.8 

7.0 

7.4 

9.6 

10.4 

fl.4 

Il.5 

11.9 

13.2 

13.1 

15.2 

15.9 

15.3 

16.0 

, 

1.7 4.5 5.0 5.0 5.5 6.5 7.5 a-0 9.0 10.0 

2-o 4.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 6.5 8.0 8.5 9.5 10.5 

2.2 4.0 4.5 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 8-5 9-5 If.0 

2.2 3-5 4.0 4.5 5-O 6-O 7.0 8.0 9-o 41.0 

2-2 3-S 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 7.0 8-O 9-O to.5 

3.5 4-u 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 7.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 

3-8 4-o 4.0 4.0 5.0 6-O 7.5 9.0 10.5 f4.0 

3.7 3-5 4.0 4.0 4.5 6.0 7.5 9.0 12.0 16.5 

4.9 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 8.0 10.5 12.0 15.0 

7.5 4.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 7.0 9.5 13-O 21 .u 29.0 

6.6 45 5.0 5.0 6.0 8.0 13.5 18.0 19.5 23.0 

8.1 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.5 8.0 12.0 17-o 22.0 29-o 

7.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 9.0 13.0 17.0 22.0 29.0 

8.5 4.5 5.5 6.0 7.0 9.5 14.0 17.5 20-O 29.0 

7.7 6.0 6-5 7.0 7.5 IO-5 16.0 22.0 26.0 31.0 

6.9 6.0 7-Q 7.5 8.5 10.5 16-O 20.5 22.5 27.5 

9.2 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 12.0 16.5 23.5 26.0 36.6 

5.2 6.5 7.0 8.0 9.5 f3.0 19.5 27.0 29.0 37.0 

8.6 7.0 7.5 8.0 10.0 13.0 18.5 22.0 27.5 34.5 

9.5 7.0 7.5 8.5 9.5 13.0 18.5 23.5 26.5 35.5 
Table 33. Subscapular skjnfold In mitlimeters for males f8-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percent 1 les. by race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

1 I I 1 

I I I I 1 Percenti'le 

I 

Number of 

examined I I I Standard I 1 I I I 

I I I I 

1 I 

I 

1 II I 

I 

persons 

I 

Mean 

I 

devi.at ion 

I 

5th 

I 

tOth 15th 25th 50th I 75th I I 

I 

I 

I I I I 

85th 

I 

90th 

I 

95th 

AM races I/ 

f8-74 years .................. 5,916 57.4 8.8 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.5 15.0 22.5 26.0 30.0 34.6 

18-24 years .................. 988 13.7 7.5 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.5 11.5 16-O 20.0 23.0 30.0 

25-34 years .................. 1,067 16.9 8.6 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 15.0 22.0 25.5 29.0 34.0 

35-44 years .................. 745 18.7 9.2 7.0 8.5 10.0 12.0 i7.0 24.0 28.0 30.5 37.0 

45-54 years .................. 690 19.4 8.9 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.5 18.0 25.0 29.0 31.0 36.0 

55-64 years .................. 1.227 18.9 a.4 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.5 ia. 24.0 27.0 30.0 34.5 

65-74 years .................. 1.199 17.9 8.7 7.0 8.0 9.5 11.0 16.0 23.0 27.5 30.5 35.1 

Wh) te 

18-74 years .................. 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

3%44.years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,148 17.3 8.5 7.0 

7.5 6.5 

a.3 7.0 

8.7 7.0 

8.6 8.0 

8.3 7.5 

8.5 7.0 

8.0 9.0 11.0 15.5 22.0 26.0 29.5 34.0 

846 13.8 

901 16.9 

653 18.5 

617 19.1 

i *086 18.9 

1.045 18.0 

7.0 7.5 a.5 11.5 16.5 20.5 24.0 30.0 

8.0 9-Q io. 5 15.0 22.0 25.5 29.0 32.5 

9.0 10.0 12.0 i7.0 23.5 27.0 30.0 35.0 

9.0 10.0 12.5 17.5 24 3 28.5 30.5 35.1 

9.5 10.5 12.5 i8.0 24.0 27.0 29.5 34.0 

8.0 9.5 11.5 16.0 23.0 27.5 30.0 35.0 

Black 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 yhars .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

649 q7.a 10.5 6.5 

6.6 6.5 

IO. 1 7.0 

12.2 * 

11.1 996.; 

10.4 5.5 

7.5 8.5 10.0 

9.0 

9.0 

11.0 

33.0 

9.5 

10.0 

14.0 24.0 30.0 32.1 38.1 

121 12.6 

139 17.2 

70 20.3 

62 22.8 

129 18.7 

128 18.4 

7.5 8.0 

8.0 8.5 

8.5 9.5 

8.0 10.0 

7.0 8.0 

7.0 8.0 

10.5 14.5 16.5 ?93 25.0 

13.0 23.0 27.0 34.0 38.0 

17.0 26.0 35.0 40.0 * 

21.5 30.0 37.0 37.0 + 

18.0 26.0 30.0 32.1 37.0 

15.0 26.5 30.5 33.0 37.0 

II/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categodes. 
A Table 34. Swbscapulap skinfold in millimeters for females 18-74 years of age--number examtned, mean, standard deviation, and 

P selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

I 

I I I I 

I t I I Percentile 

I 

Number of 

examined I I I 

1 I persons l Mean I Standard 

I I I i I T 1 i 

deviation I 5th I I I I I I I I 95th I I I I 

10th I 15th I 25th l 50th 

I 

75th 

I 

85th 

I 

90th I I I 

AH races l/ 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 ye8rs .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

White 

6.580 21-2 12.0 7.0 8.0 9.5 Il.5 18.0 29.0 35-O 38.5 45.0 

1,u66 16.6 9.9 7-o 7.5 8.0 10.0 13.0 20.5 26.0 31 .o 38.0 

St 170 20.0 12.2 7-o 8.0 8.5 30.5 i6.0 27.0 33.5 38.0 45.0 

844 22-3 12.4 7.0 8.5 10.0 12-O 19.0 31.0 36.6 40. t 46.5 

763 24.1 12.2 7.0 to.0 ii-0 14.5 22.0 32.5 37.5 40.5 47.6 

1.329 23.7 12.3 7.5 9.0 il.0 13.5 22.0 32.0 37.0 41-O 47-O 

1,4?6 22.3 11.1 7.0 8.5 10.0 13-O 21-O 30.0 35-O 37.1 43.0 

18-74 years .................. 

4%.24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

Elack 

5,686 20- 5 11.7 7.0 8.0 9.0 is.0 17-O 27.5 34.0 37.5 43.5 

892 16.4 9.6 7.0 7.5 8.0 10-O i3.0 19.0 25.0 29.5 37.5 

~.ooo 19. i 11.7 7.0 7-5 8.5 10.5 15.0 25.0 32.0 36.0 43-o 

726 21.4 12.1 7.0 8-O 9.5 11.5 17.5 30.0 36.0 39.5 46.0 

647 23.1 11.8 7.0 9.5 11.0 14.0 20.5 31.0 36.6 40.0 45.0 

1,176 23.0 i2,0 7.0 9.0 11.0 13.0 21.5 3i.0 36.0 39.5 45.6 

f.245 21 A3 $0.9 6.5 8.5 IO.0 13.0 20.5 29.5 34.0 36.1 41-l 

M-74 years .................. 782 26. I 13.3 8.0 9.5 

18-24 years .................. 147 19-i 10-6 7.0 a-0 

25-34 years .................. 145 25.4 13.3 8.5 9.5 

35-44 yearg .................. 303 27.9 13.0 7.0 IO. 5 

45-54 years...............- .. SOQ 32.0 13. I il.0 15.0 

55-64 years .................. f35 30.0 13.5 8.0 12.5 

65-74 years .................. 152 27.1 12.1 7.5 9.5 

11.0 

9.0 

?I.0 

12.0 

17 .o 

f3.0 

12.0 

14.0 25.0 35-5 40.6 45-O 50.0 

11.0 15.0 26-O 31.0 34.0 37.0 

14.0 22.5 35-5 40.6 44.5 48. i 

17.0 28.0 36.5 42.5 46.5 52.0 

22.5 30.5 39.5 45-6 50.5 56.0 

19.5 31.0 40-6 45-o 47-5 50-S 

is.0 27.0 35.5 41.0 44.5 47.0 

i/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 
Table 35. Mld-~~r zwm c$rcurpference qn cent$meters for persons 6 months-19 years of age--numb-- examdne& mean. standard 

devtatfon. and selected percentfbs, by sex and age: United States. 3976430 

. 

Sex and age 

I I I I 

I I I I 

I 

Pepcent I le 

I I 1 Wnber of l I 

l%CahAned I 

I I 

i Standard I I 1 I I I I I I l I 

I persons l Mean i devfatbn I 5th l totfl 1 l&h 1 I I 25th l 50th , 75th I I 85th 1 I 

I 90th 1 95th 

s 9 -. t I I ? t 1 ’ .A 

6- 14 months .................. 

1 year ....................... 

2 years ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 years ...................... 

5 yezsrs ...................... 

iS years ...................... 

7 years ...................... 

8 years ...................... 

9 years ...................... 

IO years ..................... 

I$ years ..................... 

42 years ..................... 

$3 years ..................... 

34 y@!lrs ..................... 

~ 5. years ..................... 

16 years ..................... 

17 years ..................... 

t8 years ..................... 

19 years ..................... 

femat e 

179 15.4 f-2 j3.4 t3.8 ?4.3 14.6 15.3 N.2 16.6 17.0 

370 16.2 I.3 14.4 $4.8 ?5,3 45.4 q6.2 16.8 13.3 If.7 

375 $6.5 t.2 f4.6 15.0 15.2 15.6 $6.5 17.2 13.6 v-9 

418 36.9 t.3 15.1 15.4 15.5 16.0 16.9 17.7 18.1 38.4 

404 17.3 1.4 f5.3 15.7 t6.O 16.4 $7.3 $8.0 18.6 19.0 

397 17.6 3.6 15.6 Ifi.0 16.2 16.5 17 -4 18.4 19.1 49.6 

$33 $8.6 2.1 16.1 f6.5 16.8 17.3 f8.3 f9.4 20.0 21.3 

;t-\ 19.1 1.9 16.6 16.8 t7.0 17.5 QL8 20.1 21 .o 2L4 

t47 20.0 2.4 37.0 17.5 IB. I 10.6 19.6 20.9 22.1 23.1 

14s 20.9 2.7 17.5 48.2 18.8 t9.3 20.2 21.9 23.0 24.3 

t57 22.2 2.9 48.4 19.1 19.4 20. < 21.9 23.3 25.0 26.0 

155 23.3 3.6 18.6 j9.4 20.0 20.8 22.3 26.0 27.6 28.7 

145 23.9 3.3 19.7 20.3 2LO 21.9 23.2 25.6 27.0 28.0 

133 25.1 3.5 20.2 20.8 21.4 22.5 24.9 27.1 28.5 29.6 

IS6 26.3 3-f 21.6 22.7 23.4 24.1 26.2 28.0 28.8 29.5 

184 27.6 3.2 23.0 23.5 24-6 25.6 27.4 29.< 30.2 31.2 

178 29.1 3.2 24.1 25.5 26.1 27.1 28.7 31.1 32.4 34.0 

t73 29. I 3.3 24.3 25.0 26.0 27.2 29.0 30.6 31.9 33-t 

164 30.3 3.7 25.4 26.4 27.1 27.9 30.0 32.3 33.4 34.3 

t4a 30.4 3.5 25.8 26.5 27.4 28.2 30.2 32.4 33.7 34.4 

6-j t montt7s .................. 177 34.9 1.2 i2.8 13.2 13.7 14.1 t4,9 f5.7 16. I t6.6 

3 year ....................... 336 IS.8 1.3 $3.7 14.2 M.6 15.0 -15.7 16.5 17.t -17.3 

2 years ...................... 336 16.3 f.2 $4-3 14.8 t5.1 15.5 16.2 17.0 17.4 38.0 

3 years ...................... 3% 16.7 f.6 t4.5 $5.0 t5.3 15.8 t6.6 17.5 =f8.2 18.5 

4 years ...................... 396 t7.2 4.5 15.3 15 A t5.7 16.2 t7.0 f8.1 38.7 t9.1 

5 years ...................... 364 17.9 I-8 45.4 15.9 t6.2 16.8 17.6 19.0 19.9 20*7 

6 years ...................... 135 18.5 2.0 t5-7 t6.3 46.5 w.2 t8.2 19.3 20.1 23.4 

7 years ...................... ‘153 19.2 2.3 t6.4 t6.7 t7.1 17.6 18.9 20.3 21.4 22.2 

8 years ...................... $23 19.9 2.3 37.0 17.4 t7.6 18.4 t9.a 21.1 22.0 22.3 

9 years ...................... 149 21.4 3.0 $7.9 18.7 19.0 $9.5 20.7 22A 24.0 25.5 

IQ yearrr ..................... $36 22.t 3.0 18.0 18.9 t9.3 20.0 21.7 24.0 25.4 27.3 

if years ..................... tm 23.4 3.5 t9.2 19.6 20.0 20.7 22.5 25.5 26.5 28.2 

32 years ..................... t43 24.f 3.4 39.4 20.3 20-B 29.6 23.6 26.2 27.6 28.3 

13 years ..................... $62 24.8 3.8 19.3 20.5 21.2 22.1 24.2 26.5 27.8 25.9 

14 years ..................... $78 26.2 3.6 21.2 22.2 23.0 24.1 25.3 28.i 30.0 31.0 

i5 years ..................... =I45 25.8 3.0 21.8 22.5 23. < 23.7 25.1 27-3 28.3 30.0 

16 y8%E!3 ..................... 370 26.8 3.1 23.0 23.5 24.0 24.4 26.4 28.4 29.9 31.3 

f? years ..................... $34 27.5 3.7 23.1 23.7 24.3 25.0 27.3 29.0 30.2 32-t 

10 years ..................... 170 27.5 3.7 22.2 23.8 24.4 25.2 27.0 28.9 30.4 31.9 

w yetPI ..................... t58 27.5 3.4 22.8 24.0 24.3 25.1 26.8 29.Q 30.9 32.1 

17.4 

ts.2 

t8.6 

18.7 

19.5 

20.5 

22.7 

22.7 

24.9 

26.2 

28.0 

30.6 

30.2 

33.2 

32-3 

33.3 

34.7 

34.7 

36.3 

36.4 

17.0 

$7.7 

18.4 

19.0 

19.7 

21.0 

22.7 

23.5 

23.8 

27.8 

27.5 

29.6 

30.5 

32.3 

33.3 

31.7 

32.8 

34.7 

34.t 

33.4 

R 
iii Table 36. Wd-upper arm c$rcumference -In centimeters for males 18-74 pars of age--number examfned, mean, standard devfation, and 

selected percentjles, by race and age: Un3ted States, W76-80 

Race and sge 

I I 4 I 

I I I I 

I I Number of l I I 

Percentile 

1 exar&xd I I Standard I I 1 I I I I I I 

I I I l Mean I devfatian 5th I I 10th 1 I 15th J 25th I I 50th 1 75th I I I 

I persons I I I I 85th l 90th f 95th 

t ? I t t I I 

All races l/ 

18-74 years .................. 

38-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

w-bite 

W-74 years .................. 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

Black 

40-74 years .................. 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 year5 .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

S-74 years .................. 

5.916 32.4 3.4 27.0 28.2 29.0 30.1 32.3 w.5 35.7 36.7 38. I 

988 31.7 1 3.4 26.2 27.3 27.9 28.9 30.9 33. I 34.4 35.4 36.6 

1.067 32.7 3.4 27.5 28.6 29.3 30.4 32.5 34.8 35.9 37.1 38.4 

745 33.2 3.3 27.7 29.2 30.0 31.3 33.2 35.3 36.5 37.3 38.8 

690 33.4 3.3 28.0 29.0 29.9 31.0 32.9 35.2 36.4 37.2 38.5 

1.227 32.5 3.2 27.4 28.7 29.4 30-4 32.3 34.3 35.5 36-3 37.9 

1,199 31.3 3.4 25.4 26.8 28.0 29-2 31.5 33.5 34-8 35.6 37.0 

5, VI8 32-4 3.3 27.4 28.3 29.1 30.2 32.3 34.5 35.7 36.6 38.0 

846 31.2 3.3 26.3 27.3 28.0 29.0 31.0 33.2 34.6 35.6 36.6 

901 32.7 3.3 27.7 28.8 29.3 30s 32.6 34.7 35.9 37.0 30.2 

653 33.3 3.1 28.3 29.5 30.1 31.3 33.1 35.4 36.4 37.1 38.4 

617 33.0 3.2 28-f 29.2 29.9 31.0 32.8 35.1 36-f 37.1 38.2 

1.086 32.5 3-f 27-5 28.9 29.5 30.5 32.3 34.3 35.4 36.2 37-6 

I.045 31.4 3.4 25-5 27.0 28.1 29.3 3q.6 33.6 34.8 35.6 36.8 

649 32.7 4.2 26.5 27-7 28.7 30.0 32.6 35.3 37.0 38-Z 39.5 

131 30.7 3.5 26.1 26.9 27.6 28.7 30.7 32.6 33-3 34.4 35.9 

139 33.1 4.2 27.5 28.3 29.0 30.2 32.6 35.3 36.6 38.1 39.8 

70 34.4 3.9 * 30.0 30.2 31.6 33-9 37.5 38.2 39.3 f 

62 34.3 3.9 + 28.8 30.5 34.9 34.6 36.4 38.5 39.5 * 

i29 32.8 3.8 27.2 28.4 29.2 30.1 32.6 34.4 37.3 37.9 39-6 

f28 31.4 4.4 24.6 26.4 27.4 28.4 30.6 33.6 35.6 36.9 38.2 

j/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categorles- 
Table 37, &dld-~~ppsr arm c{rcumference Ifi centimeters for females la-74 years of afte--nu&ep examined, mean,. standarcf devla*Wn, and 

selected percsntlles, by race and age: United States, j976-80 

Race and age 

I 

I I 

I 1 Number of l ‘ Percentile 

exam i ned I 

I I I Standard I I 1 I 1 I 1 1 1 - 

f 

I persons I Mean i devlat3on I 10th I 15th I I 

I I 25th t I 50th 1 35th I I I 

I 85th I 90th 1 95th 

I 1 r 1 r t T 9 

All races f/ 

b-74 years .................. 

38-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-h yeaPs .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

White 

jib74 years .................. 

W-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 year& .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

%5-64 years .................. 

65-74 yeiirs .................. 

Wack 

M-74 ye&t3 .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

6,588 

1,066 

1,im 

844 

763 

1,329 

3,416 

5.686 29.9 4.5 23.9 24.9 25.6 26.6 29.2 32.3 34.5 36.2 38.4 

B92 27.7 3.7 23.0 23.9 24.5 25.4 27.1 29.2 30.8 32.2 34-7 

Loo0 29.0 4.3 23.5 24.5 25.1 26.2 28J 31.1 33.1 35-i 37.3 

726 30.4 4.7 24.3 25.5 26.f 27.1 29.4 32.7 35.4 37.3 39.1 

647 31.t 4.6 24.8 25.7 26.3 28.0 30.3 33.8 35.8 37.2 39.3 

1,376 31.3 4.5 25.1 26.2 27.0 28.1 30.8 34.0 35.7 37.3 39.4 

1,245 31.0 4.4 24.3 26.0 26.8 28.2 30.5 33.3 35.2 36.4 38.8 

782 

147 

44s 

103 

100 

$35 

152 

30.1 

27.7 

29.2 

30.7 

31.3 

31.5 

31.3 

31.7 

28-Z 

30.3 

33.0 

34.4 

33.9 

33.1 

4.7 23.9 24.9 25.6 26.7 29.3 32.6 34-B 36.4 38.7 

3.8 23.0 23.0 24.4 25.3 27.1 29-2 31.2 32.4 34.8 

4.4 23.6 24.5 25.2 26.2 28.3 31.3 33.4 35.6 37.9 

4.9 24.4 25.5 26.2 27.2 29.6 33.3 35.8 37.5 39.6 

4.8 24.9 25.8 26.5 28.2 30.6 34.1 36.4 37.5 39.7 

4.7 25.1 26.3 27.1 28.3 30.9 34.1 36.3 37.6 39.7 

4.4 24.4 26.0 27.0 28.3 30.8 33.6 35.4 36.8 38.8 

5.5 24.1 25.0 25.9 27.6 31.2 34.9 37.4 38-5 41.9 

4.2 23.0 23.9 24.3 25.2 27.1 30.5 32.2 34.3 36.4 

5.2 24.1 25.d 25.9 27.4 29.7 33.9 36.2 37.8 40-4 

5.7 24.5 25.1 27.0 29.2 32.1 36.4 37.6 40.6 44.4 

5.4 27.0 28.4 28.5 31.1 34.0 36.4 38.5 40.4 45.8 

5.5 25.5 28.2 28.9 30.2 33.5 36.9 30.6 4.f.8 45.1 

4.1 26.1 27.5 28.8 30.4 32.7 36.3 37.1 37.4 39.1 

4/ I~W&r ah11 othew r8cer not shown as seprr~ate categories. 
$ Table 38. Chest circumference (erect) In centimeters for persons 2-7 years of age--number examined. mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percenttles, by sex and age: Unlted States, 1976-80 

c 

I I I .. -- I 

Sex and age 

v 

I I I I 

I 

Percent i 1 e 

I 

Number of I I I 

I I I I I I I I I I 1 

I 

examfned 

I I 

Standard 

persons 1 Mean I deviation I 5th I I 10th l i5th I 25th I I 50th I 75th I I I 

I I I I I I 85th I 90th I 95th 

I i 1 I. 

Male 

2 years ...................... 369 51.1 2.7 46.6 47.8 48.4 49.3 50.7 52.7 53.7 54.4 55.7 

3 years................- ..... 413 52.8 3.0 48.1 49.2 50-t 51.0 52.7 54.5 55.4 56.3 57.4 

4 years ...................... 398 54.7 2.9 49.9 51 .Q 51.8 52.8 54.6 56.6 57.4 58.3 59.2 

5 years ..... ................. 393 56.6 3.4 51.8 52.6 53.4 54.3 56.3 58.6 59.6 60.5 62. I 

6 years ...................... 129 59.3 4.1 53.8 55.0 55.5 56.6 58.9 60.9 62.4 65.1 66.6 

7 years ...................... 445 60.4 3.8 54.6 55-9 56.7 57.9 60.2 62.8 63.6 64.4 66.4 

2 years .C,im...*r .C. . . . . . . . . . . 331 49.9 2.6 46.1 46.6 47.1 48.2 49.8 51.6 52.5 53.2 54.4 3 years...................... 365 51.6 2.9 47.4 48.2 48.8 49.6 51.3 53.4 54.6 55.5 57.1 

4 years.. r....r.....+r.r.r.r. 389 53.2 3.1 48.4 49.7 50.2 51.2 53.0 55.2 56.4 57.1 58.5 S years...................... 357 55.3 3.7 49-9 50.8 51.6 53.1 55.t 57.5 59.1 60.1 6l.8 

6 years...................... 133 57.6 4.6 51.2 52.8 53.5 54.5 56.8 58.8 61.4 63.3 67.1 

7 years 149 59-t 4.1 53.0 54.2 55.2 55.8 58.7 62.3 63.4 63.8 66.6 . ..a.................. 

, 

Table 39. Chest circumference (suplne) In centimeters for persons 6 months-3 years of age--number examined, mean, standard 

deviation, and selected percentiles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

I 1 i I 

I I I I 

I Number of I I I Percentfle 

I exami ned I I I I 

Sex and age I I I Standard I I I I I 1 I 

I I I 

I persons I Mean l deviation I 5th I I 15th I I 

I 10th l I 25th I 50th 1 75th I 

I I 85th I 90th I 95th 

I f I I f 

Male 

6-11 months................- 

4 y&ar....................... 

2 . . . . . . . . ..r........... 

years 3 years.. . . . . . ..I............ 

Female 

176 45.8 2.6 41.2 42.6 43.3 44.2 45.7 '47.8 48.2 48.7 50.1 

366 49.1 2.8 45.1 46-i 46.5 47.5 49.2 50.7 51.7 52.4 53.3 

54.6 55.6 369 5i.2 2.7 47.1 48.0 48.6 49.5 5i.1 52.3 53.8 

404 53.4 2.9 48.6 49.9 50.5 51.4 53.3 55.1 56.3 57.1 57.9 

6-11 months..... 42.3 43.1 44.7 46.2 47.6 48.3 49. I .*.........I- 172 44.9 3.0 40.2 41.6 

1 year....................... 333 47.8 2.7 43.6 44.6 45.1 46.0 47.9 49.7 50.3 51.0 52.0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*...... 

years 

33s 50.5 2.7 46.3 47.0 47.6 48.3 5o.j 51.8 52.8 53.7 54.4 

3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- 

years.. 357 52.1 3.0 47.3 48.4 49.3 50.i 52.0 54.0 55.0 55.6 57.3 
Table 40. Head circumference in centimeters for persons 6 months-7 years of age--number examined, mean, standard devtation, and 

selected percentlIes, by.sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

Sex and age 

1 1 i I 

I I I I 

I 

Percentile 

I 

Number of I 1 I 

I examined I I I I I I I I I I I 

I I I 

I persons I Mean 

I S tandat-d 

I deviat fon 5th I 10th I 15tti 25th I 

I I I I I 50th I I 

I 75th I 85th I 90th I 

I I 95th 

Male 

6-M months .................. 

? year...-* .................. 

2 years ...................... 

3 ye~rg ...................... 

4 years...........- .......... 

5 years ...................... 

6 years.- .................... 

‘;f years................-- .... 

173 45.3 1.5 42.7 43.5 43.7 44.2 45.2 46.2 47.1 47.4 47.8 

364 47.7 I.? 45.5 46. I 46.3 46.7 47.6 48.5 49.0 49.4 50. I 

372 49.1 1.7 46.4 47.1 47.4 48.0 49.1 50. I 50.5 51.0 51.6 

4f2 50.0 1.4 47.7 48.2 48.6 49.2 50.1 50.8 51.3 5i.7 52.4 

399 50.5 1.6 48. i 48.7 49.1 49.6 50.5 51.5 52. I 52.3 53-o 

392 51.0 t-7 48.8 49.1 49.3 49.8 51.1 52. i 52.5 52.8 53.6 

131 51.6 1.8 49.2 49.6 49.9 50.3 51.3 52.8 53.1 53.6 54.0 

145 51.9 I.7 49.5 50.0 50.4 50.8 51.7 52.9 53.7 54.1 55.3 

fema 1 e 

6-M mOnthg............-..... 

1 year.----...-..........-... 

2 . . . . . . . . . . . ..-...e years.... 4 3 yearsII.....I..I.....~..... .***...--.......-....- 

years 

5 years................wm.... 

6 years.............-........ 

7 years...................... 

175 44.0 I.6 40.8 42.1 42.6 43.2 44-t 45.1 45.5 45.8 46.3 

333 46.2 1.7 43.9 44.2 44.6 45.2 46.2 47.1 47.7 48.1 48.5 

333 47.9 1.8 45.7 46.2 46.5 47.0 47.9 48.6 49.1 49.5 50.1 

363 48.6 1.9 45.8 46.6 47. I 47.7 48.7 49.7 50.3 50.8 51.2 

393 49.5 1.8 47.3 47.7 47.8 48.5 49.4 50.4 51 .o 51.5 51.9 

357 49.8 I.7 47.2 48.1 48.4 48.9 49.9 50.8 51.2 51.4 52.0 

$33 50.7 f-8 48.4 48.8 49.2 49.6 50.5 51.6 52.3 52.7 53.4 

f50 50.7 2.0 47.4 48.7 49.2 49.8 50.7 51.9 52.5 52.8 53.4 
g 

Table 4i. Bitrochanteric breadth in centimeters for persons 6 months-19 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percenttles, by sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

Sex and age 

I . . . 

I I I I 

I I I I Percentite 

I 

Number of I I I I I 1 I I I I I 

I 

examined 

I 

I Standard I persons l Mean I devfation l 5th I tOth I 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 

I 1 I I I I I I I 95th 

I 1 1 

Male 

6-11 months .................. 179 13.1 1.2 11.0 11.6 ii.9 12.3 13.2 13.8 14.2 14.6 15-4 

1 year ....................... 370 14.6 2.8 $2.2 12.8 13.2 13.7 i4.5 15.3 15.8 16.1 16.5 

2 ye’ars ...................... 375 15.7 1.1 13.8 14.3 14.6 15.0 15.7 16.3 16.7 16.9 17.4 

3. years ...................... 418 16.7 i.2 14.8 15.2 15.5 16.0 16.7 17.4 17.8 18. i 18.5 

4 years ...................... 404 17.6 1.2 15.5 16.2 16.4 16.8 17.6 18.3 18.7 19.1 19.5 

5 years ...................... 397 18.4 1.2 16.6 16.9 i7.2 17.6 18.4 19.2 19.6 20. i 20.4 

6 years ...................... 133 19.5 1.4 17.2 17.8 18.3 18.7 19.5 20.3 21.1 21.4 22.4 

7 years.- .................... 148 20.3 1.2 18.3 18.8 18.9 19.5 20.3 21.1 21.6 21.8 22.4 

8 fears ...................... 147 21.3 1.7 19.0 f9.5 19.6 20.0 21.3 22.3 22.6 23.0 24.2 

9 years ...................... 145 22.2 1.6 20.0 20.3 20.7 21.2 22.2 23.1 23.5 23.9 24.9 

10 years ..................... 157 23.7 1.9 21.0 21.4 22.0 22.5 23.4 24.8 25.4 26.1 26.8 

11 years ..................... 155 24.7 2.3 21.4 22.0 22.5 23.2 24.4 26.0 26.8 27.9 28.8 

12 years ..................... 145 25.7 2.2 22.6 23.1 23.5 24.2 25.4 27.0 27.9 28.6 30.0 

13 years...~...............-. 173 27.1 2-4 23.1 23.8 24.4 25.4 27.0 28.9 29.4 29.9 30.7 

i4 years ..................... 186 28.9 2.2 24.9 26.3 26.9 27.3 29.0 30.4 31.3 31 .a 32.3 

15 years ..................... 184 29.6 2.0 26.3 27.0 27.4 28.3 29.5 30.7 31.5 32.1 33.6 

16 years ..................... 178 30.5 1.9 27.2 28.2 28.5 29.3 30.4 31.8 32.4 32.6 34.0 

17 years ..................... 173 30.7 1.8 27.8 28.4 28.9 29.5 30.6 32.0 32.5 33.0 34.0 

18 years ..................... 164 30.9 1.8 28.3 28.8 29.3 29.7 30.7 31.9 32.6 33.4 34.2 

f9 years ..................... 148 31.1 2.1 28.0 28.5 29.1 29.7 31.1 32.6 33.2 33.4 34.6 

Female 

6-11 months .................. 177 12.8 4.2 fO.7 il.3 11.6 12. f i2.8 13.5 14.2 14.4 14.6 

I year ....................... 336 14.1 f.2 12.3 12.6 13.0 13.3 14.2 14.8 15.2 15.4 is.9 

2 yearg....-.....-..- ........ 336 15.5 1.0 13.9 14.3 14.5 14.8 15.5 16.2 16.5 16.7 17.3 

3 years ...................... 366 16.5 t-2 14.3 14.9 15.2 15.7 16.5 17.5 17.8 18.2 18.5 

4 years ...................... 396 17.4 1-t 15.6 16.1 16.3 16.7 17.4 18.2 18.4 18.9 19.3 

S years ...................... 364 18.4 1.3 16.4 16.9 17.2 17.6 18.4 19.4 19.7 20.2 20.7 

6 years ...................... 135 19.6 1.4 17.4 18.0 18.1 18.6 19.6 20.7 21.3 21.6 22.3 

7 years ...................... 157 20.5 1.8 17.5 18.6 19.2 19.6 20.5 21.5 21.8 22.2 23.4 

8 years ...................... 123 21.5 i.4 19.5 20.0 20.3 20.6 21.3 22.2 22.7 23.1 23.6 

9 years ...................... 149 22.6 2.0 19.9 20.8 21.0 21.3 22.3 23.5 24.4 25.5 26.5 

IO years ..................... 736 2L.O 2.1 21.1 21.5 21.9 22.8 23.7 25.5 26.0 26.9 28.1 

II years ..................... 140 25.6 2.4 22.0 22.5 22.9 23.7 25.7 27.0 28.4 28.9 29.9 

12 years ..................... 147 27.2 2.3 23.3 24.4 24.6 25.7 27.2 28.8 29.6 30.3 30.9 

13 years ..................... 162 28.3 2.3 24.6 25.6 26.0 26.9 28.5 29.7 30.6 31.3 31.8 

14 years ..................... 178 29.2 2.3 25.7 26.7 27.3 28.0 29.3 30.5 31.5 32.0 32.5 

15 years ..................... 145 29.5 1.6 26.7 27.4 27.7 28.4 29.5 30.5 31.2 31.5 31.8 

16 years ..................... 170 30.3 1.9 27.6 28.0 28.5 28.9 30.0 31.3 32.3 32.7 34.1 

17 years ..................... 134 30.5 1.8 27.3 28.0 28.5 29-4 30.4 31.5 32.3 32.8 33.9 

48 years ..................... 170 30.5 1.9 27.7 28.3 28.7 29-2 30.4 31.4 32.2 32.5 33.8 

t9 years ..................... 458 30.,6 1.9 28.0 28.4 29.0 29.5 30.3 31.5 32.4 32.9 33.7 
Table 42. Bttrochanteric breadth in centimeters for males 18-74 years of age-number examined, mean, standard devtatton. and 

Selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, 1976-80 

Race and age 

1 1 J I 

I I I 1 

I I Number of I I 1 Percentile 

examined I I I Standard I I I 1 i J J J J 

I persons I I I I 1 I I I I I 

I 1 Mean I deviation 1 5th I 10th I 4 !A I 25th 

I 

50th 

I 

75th 

I 

85th I 90th 

I 

95th 

All races 1/ 

M-74 years .................. 

i8-24 years .................. 

25-34 years.........-...- .... 

35-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

White 

5,916 32.2 2.0 29.2 29.8 30.3 31.0 32.2 33-4 34.1 34.6 35.3 

988 31.4 I.9 28.5 29.0 29.4 30.2 31.4 32.6 33.2 33.7 34.4 

1,067 32.0 2.0 29.0 29.6 30.0 30.8 31-9 33.1 33.7 34.2 35.2 

745 32.4 1.8 29.4 30-O 30.6 31.2 32.4 33-7 34.1 34.6 35.4 

690 32-7 1.9 29.8 30.4 30.8 31.4 32.6 33.8 34.4 35.0 35.8 

1,227 32.7 1.9 29.8 30.4 30.9 31.6 32.7 33.8 34.5 34.8 35.7 

i,i99 32.7 1.8 29.8 30.4 30.8 31.5 32.7 33.9 34-5 35.1 35.7 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years........)..- ...... 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years............--.- .. 

Eilack 

5. ?48 32.4 I-9 29.4 30.0 30.5 31.2 32.4 33.5 34-2 34.6 35.4 

846 31-5 1.8 28.6 29.2 29.6 30.3 31-5 32.7 33.3 33.8 34.5 

909 32.1 1.9 29.4 29.8 30.3 3t.o 32.0 33.2 33.7 34.4 35.2 

653 32.5 f.7 29.8 30.5 30.8 3f.3 32.6 33.8 34.1 34.6 3s.5 

617 32.8 1.9 30.. t 30.5 31* 1 3t.6 32.7 33.9 34.5 35-O 35.9 

I.086 32-a 1.8 29.9 30.5 31.1 31.8 32.8 33.9 34.5 34.9 35.7 

1,045 32.9 l-8 30.2 30.7 31.1 31.8 32.9 34.0 34.6 35.2 35.8 

G-74 years..............--- . 649 31.3 

18-24 years .................. 121 30.3 

25-34 years.- ................ 139 31.3 

35-44 years........-.--.- .... 70 31-8 

45-54 years........- ......... 62 32.0 

55-64 years.....-- ........... 129 31.8 

65-74 years.............~.--. 128 31.7 

2.1 28.3 

i-9 i8.0 

2.2 28.6 

1.9 * 

2.1 * 

1.7 29.2 

2.1 28.5 

29.1 29.4 30. I 39.2 32.5 33.3 34.0 34.6 

28.3 28.8 29.5 30-6 31.5 31.7 32.0 32.7 

29.2 29.3 29.9 U-0 32.4 33.2 33.7 34-2 

29.4 29.6 30.3 31.7 33.2 33-6 34.1 * 

29.2 29-7 30.7 31.9 33.0 34.4 34.6 * 

29.8 30.2 30-7 31.6 32.8 33.4 34.1 34.5 

29.2 29.8 30-3 31.6 33.0 33.9 34.2 35.4 

?/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categarles. 
82 Table 43, Bitrochanteric breadth in centimeters for females 18-74 years of age--number examfned, mean, standard deviation, and 

selected percentiles, by race and age: United States, f976-80 

I r I I 

Race and age 

I I I 

I I I I Percentile 

I 

Number of I 

exam I ned I 1 I I Standard l I I I I I I I I 

I I I I I I I I I 

I persons I 

t Mean I devfatlon I 5th 1 ?Oth I 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

I 

All races l/ 

M-74 years .................. 

48-24 years .................. 

25-34 years .................. 

$5-44 years .................. 

45-54 years .................. 

$5-64 years...............,,, 

650?4 years...-.- ............ 

White 

f8-74 years-~- ............... 

W-24 years.......- .......... 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years..............-.- . 

45-54 years.......-...- ...... 

55-64 years .................. 

-65-74 years .................. 

Black 

18-74 years.-.......) ........ 

18-24 years .................. 

25-34 years.........~~ ....... 

35-44 years .................. 

G-54 years .................. 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years...-.-.....-..- ... 

6,588 31.8 2.2 28.5 29.1 29-6 30.3 31.6 33. f 33.9 34.6 35.6 

1,066 30.9 2.0 28.1 28.5 28.9 29.5 30.7 32.1 32.9 33.3 34.4 

Li30 31.6 2-2 28.A 29.1 29.5 30.2 31.3 32.7 33.8 34.4 35.3 

844 32, t 2- 1 28.9 29.6 30.0 30.6 31-8 33.3 34.2 34.8 35.9 

763 32.1 2-3 28.7 29.5 30.0 30.6 32.0 33.4 34.2 34.9 35.9 

4,329 32.1 2.0 29.0 29.5 30.0 30.9 32.1 33-4 34.1 34.7 35.4 

4,416 32-1 .2* 1 28.8 29 * -5 29.9 30-7 32.1 33.4 34.2 34.9 35.9 

5,686 31.8 

892 31.0 

~,ooo 31.7 

726 32, i 

647 32.2 

1,176 32.2 

I-; 245 -32; f 

782 

?47 

t45 

103 

fO0 

I35 

152 

31.4 2.5 28.2 28.6 29-o 

30-7 2.3 27.8 28.2 28.4 

31. t 2.2 28.2 28.3 28.9 

31.7 2.3 28.7 29.2 29.6 

32.0 3-l 28.5 28.8 29.3 

31.8 2.3 28.5 28.8 29.6 

31.8 2.2 28.5 29.0 29.5 

2.1 

I-9 

2.1 

2.1 

2.2 

2.0 

2; i 

28.7 29.3 29.7 30.4 31.7 33-l 33.9 34.6 35.5 

28.2 28.7 29.0 29.6 30.8 32.1 32.9 33-3 34.3 

28.6 29.2 29.7 30-3 31.4 32.8 33.8 34.4 35-3 

29-o 29.7 3O- 1 30-6 31.9 33.4 34.2 34.9 35.9 

29.0 29.6 30. I 30.8 32. I 33.4 34.2 34.9 35.8 

29.4 29.6 30.2 30.9 32.1 33.4 34.2 34.8 35-4 

28.8 2% 5 30; I 3cT- 8 32-w i 33-i 4 34: 2 34:9 3c 0 

29.6 

29.0 

29.5 

30.0 

30.0 

30. I 

30-4 

31.0 32.7 33.7 34.6 36. I 

30.3 31.9 32.8 33.7 35.7 

30.8 32.3 33.4 34.2 35.6 

31.3 32.8 34.1 34.4 35.9 

31-4 33.1 34.8 36w 1 37.3 

3f.8 33.4 34.1 34.9 36.4 

31.9 33-5 33.7 34.7 35.6 

i/ jtklude3 all other races not shown as separate categories. 
Table 44. Elbow breadth in centimeters for persons 6 months-f9 years of age--number examined, mean, standard deviation. and selected 

percentites, by sex and age: Unfted States, 1976-80 

Sex and age 

I I I I 

I I I I 

I I I I Percentile . 

f Number of 

examined I I I 1 Standard f I I I 1 I I I I 

I persons I Mean deviation 5th 1 10th I 15th I 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I I 

I I I I I I 1 I I 1 I 

90th 

I 

95th 

Male 

6-11 months .................. 

1 year..................~..-. 

2 years ...................... 

3 years ...................... 

4 years..- ................... 

5 years...............-...- .. 

6 years ...................... 

7 years ...................... 

8 years.............-...-.- .. 

9 years ...................... 

IO years...........-......- .. 

Ii years-........-......- .... 

12 years ..................... 

13 years ..................... 

14 years ..................... 

15 years.............) ....... 

16 years........--..-.- ...... 

17 years.............- ....... 

18 years ..................... 

19 years.........-...--..- ... 

179 3.8 

370 4.1 

375 4.3 

41% 4.4 

404 4.6 

397 4.8 

133 5 ..l 

148 5-2 

147 5.4 

j45 5-6 

157 5.9 

f55 6-O 

145 6.3 

173 6.6 

186 6.9 

184 7.0 

178 7.0 

173 7.1” 

$64 7.1 

148 7. I 

Fema 1 e 

e-11 mOnths............- ..... $77 3.6 

I year.-.............- ....... 336 3.9 

2 years..-...- ............... 336 4.1 

3 years ...................... 366 4.2 

4 years.....---......-....- .. 396 4.4 

5 years..) ................... 364 4.6 

6 years ...................... 135 4.8 

7 years ...................... f57 5.0 

8 years. ..................... 123 5.2 

9 years ...................... 149 5.4 

IO years ..................... 136 5.6 

11 yeast ..................... 140 5-8 

12 years ..................... 147 5.9 

13 years ..................... 162 6-O 

14 years ..................... 178 6.1 

15 years ..................... j45 6.1 

ii; years ..................... 170 6-t 

17 years ..................... 134 6.2 

18 years ..................... f70 6.1 

19 years ..................... 158 6.1 

0.3 

0.3 

o-3 

02 

0.3 

o-3 

0.3 

0.3 

o-4 

o-4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.5 

0.5 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.3 

0.3 

0.2 

0.3 

0.3 

o-3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.3 

0.3 

0.4 

0.4 

0.4 

0.3 

3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.8 3-9 4-o 4.1 4.2 

3.7 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 

3.9. 3.9 4-o 4. t 4.2 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 

4-q 4. I 4.2 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 

4-2 4.3 4-3 4.4 4.6 4.8 5-O 5. f 5-2 

4.3 4-4 4.5 4.6 4.8 5.0 5- I 5.2 5.3 

4.6 4.6 4.7 4.8 5. I 5.3 5.5 5.5 5.6 

4.7 4.8 4.9 4.9 5-l 5.4 5-6 5.6 5.7 

4.8 4.9 5-o 5.1 5.4 5.6 5.7 5.8 6.0 

5.0 50 I 5.2 5.3 5.6 5.8 5.9 6.0 6-2 

5.2 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.9 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.6 

5-3 5-5 5.6 5.7 6.0 6.3 6.5 6.6 6.8 

5.6 5.7 5.8 6.0 6.2 6.6 6.9 7.0 7.2 

5-9 6-0 6-I 6.2 6.5 6-9 7.1 7.2 7-4 

6.2 6-4 6.5 6-6 6.9 7.1 7.3 7.5 7.6 

6.3 6.5 6.6 6.7 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.7 

6.4 6.5 6.6 6.8 7.0 7-2 7.4 7.5 7.7 

6.5 6.6 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.4 7-6 7.7 7.8 

6.4 6.6 6.6 6-9 7, I 7-4 7-6 7.7 7.8 

6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 7.1 7.4 7-5 7.6 7.7 

3-2 3.2 3.3 3-4 3.6 3-8 3-9 3.9 4-o 

3.4 3-5 3-6 3.7 3.8 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 

3.6 3.8 3.0 3-9 4.1 4.3 4.3 4.4 4.5 

3-8 3-9 4.0 4-l 4.2 4.4 4-5 4-6 4.7 

4.0 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.7 4.8 4-9 

4-2 4-3 4.3 4.4 4.6 4.9 4.9 5.0 5.2 

4.3 4-4 4.5 4.6 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.3 5.3 

4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 5-O 5.2 5-3 5.4 5.5 

4.7 4.8 4.8 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.6 5.8 

4.8 4-9 5.0 5.1 5.4 5.6 5.7 5.9 6.2 

5. i 5.i 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.9 6.0 6.1 6.2 

5.2 5-3 5.4 5.5 5.8 6.0 6.2 6.3 6.4 

5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.9 6.2 6.3 6.5 6.6 

5-4 5.5 5.6 5-7 6.0 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 

5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 

5.6 5.7 5.7 5.9 6-i 6.3 6.5 6.5 6.6 

5.5 5-6 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.5 6.6 6.7 

5.5 5-6 5.7 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.6 6.9 

5.6 5.6 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.4 6.5 5.6 6.7 

5.6 5:7 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.5 6.5 6.7 
. 

% Table 45, Etbow breadth in centimeters for males W-74 years of age--number examined, mean, standard dev$atfon, and selected 

percentiles, by race and age: Untted States, 1976-80 

; I I 4 

Race and age 

I 

I I I I 

I I I I Percentile 

I 

Number of 

examined I I 

I persons I Mean 

l Standard I 1 1. .-I I 1 1 1 1 

deviation I t I I 

I I I I 

5th 

I 

iOth 

I 

15th I 25th I 

I 

50th I I I t 

I 

75th 

I 

85th 

I 

90th 

t 

95th 

Al? races I/ 

t8-74 years .................. 

t8-24 years-.........-...- ... 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years....- ............. 

45-54 years....--..........-. 

55-64 years..........-- ...... 

65-74 years....-...--.-...--. 

5,916 7.3 0.4 6.6 

0.4 6.5 

0.4 6.5 

0.4 6.6 

0.4 6.7 

0.4 6.7 

0.4 6.7 

6.7 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.7 7-8 8.0 

988 7.1 

I.067 7.2 

745 7-3 

690 7.4 

1,227 7.4 

1,199 7.4 

6.6 6.8 6.9 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.8 

6-7 6.8 6.9 7.2 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.9 

6.7 6.9 7-O 7-3 7.5 7.7 7.8 8.0 

6.8 6.9 7-9 3.4 7.6 7.8 7.8 8.0 

6.9 7.0 7.1 7.4 7.7 7.8 8.0 a.1 

6.8 6.9 7.1 7.3 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.1 

Whl te 

W-74 years.......--------.--. 5,148 7.3 0.4 6-6 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.3 7-5 7-7 7.8 a.0 

18-24 years .................. 846 7.2 0.4 6.5 6.7 6-8 6-9 7.2 7.4 7-5 7.6 7.8 

25-34 years.-.-.......- ...... 901 7.2 0.4 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.2 7-5 7.6 7-7 7-9 

35-44 years .................. 653 7.3 0.4 6.6 6.8 6.9 7-o 7.3 7-5 7.7 7-8 8.0 

45-54 years .................. 617 7.4 0.4 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.1 7.4 7.6 7.8 7-8 8.0 

55-64 years......-...- ....... t.oEK 7.4 0.4 6-7 6.9 7.0 7-I 7.4 7-7 7-8 8.0 8.1 

65-74 years......--.....- .... 1,045 7-4 0.4 6.7 6.8 7-O 7.1 7.3 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.1 

Black 

18-74 yearsI.........*..-.- .. 

18-24 years ................... 

25-34 years .................. 

35-44 years............--..- . 

4554 years...-.-...- ........ 

55-64 years .................. 

b-74 years........-.......-. 

643 7-3 0.5 6-6 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.3 7-6 7.8 7.9 8.1 

121 7.1 

139 7.2 

70 7-3 

62 7-4 

129 7.5 

f28 7.3 

0.4 6.5 

0.4 6.5 

0.5 * 

0.4 6.; 

0.4 6.7 

6.6 6.7 6.9 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.7 7.8 

6 .h 7 6.9 6.9 7.1 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.9 

6-3 6-7 7.0 7.3 7.6 7-8 8-2 * 

6.9 6.9 7.0 7.4 7.8 7-8 8-O * 

6-9 7.0 7.2 7.5 7.7 7-9 8.0 8.1 

6-9 6.9 7.1 7.3 7.5 7.8 8.0 8.1 

f/ fncludes all other races not shown as separate categories. 
iable 46. Elbow breadth in centimeters far females 18-74 years of age--number examtned, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentlles. by race and age: Unlted States, 1976-80 - 

I 1 I 

I I I 

I 

I Number of I I 

exarnined I I 

Race and age I I I Standard 

I persons I Mean 

I 

deviation 

PercentlIe 

I I I I I I I I 

5th I I I I I I I I 

I 10th 1 1&h 1 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

-. 

All races l/ 

18-74 years.......-....~ ..... 6.588 6.3 o-4 S-7 

18-24 years .................. 1,066 6. 4 0.4 5.6 

25-34 years .................. f.170 6.2 0.4 5.6 

35-44 years-.-.........- ..... 844 6.3 0.4 5.7 

45-54 years...-.-.-....-..- .. 763 6.4 0.4 5.7 

55-64 years .................. 1,329 6.4 0.4 5.8 

65-74 years .................. 1,416 6.5 0.5 5.8 

White 

18-74 years..-..-.--.-.-..- . . 

#8-24 years .................. 

25-34 years....-......-- ..... 

35-44 years..........-..- .... 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years....~.......-..- .. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,686 6.3 o-4 

8.92 6.1 0.3 

Loo0 6.2 0.4 

726 6.3 0.4 

647 6.4 o-4 

1,176 6.4 0.4 

1,245 6.4 0.4 

5.7 

5.6 

5.6 

5.7 

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

Black 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years...; .............. 

25-34 yearsI............- .... 

35-44 years....- ............. 

45-54 years.............~~ ... 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

782 6.4 0.5 5.8 

147 6.2 0.4 5.7 

145 6.3 0.5 5-6 

io3 6.5 O-5 5.9 

100 6.6 0.5 5-9 

135 6.7 0.5 6-O 

152 6.7 0.4 6.1 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.7 6-9 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.6 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.9 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.1 

6.0 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.2 

5.9 6.. 6.2 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.2 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.7 5.8 s-9 6.i 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.7 6.8 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.2 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.0 

5.9 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.1 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.6 6.9 7.0 7.2 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.5 6.6 6.7 6-8 

S-8 5-9 6-O 6.3 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.2 

6.0 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.2 

6.0 6-i 6.2 6.5 6.9 7.0 7.3 7.6 

6.1 6.2 6.4 6.6 6-9 7.2 7.4 ?*4 

6.1 6.2 6.4 6.7 7.0 7. I 7.3 7.4 

1/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 
iable 46. Elbow breadth in centimeters far females 18-74 years of age--number examtned, mean, standard deviation, and selected 

percentlles. by race and age: Unlted States, 1976-80 - 

I 1 I 

I I I 

I 

I Number of I I 

exarnined I I 

Race and age I I I Standard 

I persons I Mean 

I 

deviation 

PercentlIe 

I I I I I I I I 

5th I I I I I I I I 

I 10th 1 1&h 1 25th I 50th I 75th I 85th I 90th I 95th 

-. 

All races l/ 

18-74 years.......-....~ ..... 6.588 6.3 o-4 S-7 

18-24 years .................. 1,066 6. 4 0.4 5.6 

25-34 years .................. f.170 6.2 0.4 5.6 

35-44 years-.-.........- ..... 844 6.3 0.4 5.7 

45-54 years...-.-.-....-..- .. 763 6.4 0.4 5.7 

55-64 years .................. 1,329 6.4 0.4 5.8 

65-74 years .................. 1,416 6.5 0.5 5.8 

White 

18-74 years..-..-.--.-.-..- . . 

#8-24 years .................. 

25-34 years....-......-- ..... 

35-44 years..........-..- .... 

45-54 years .................. 

55-64 years....~.......-..- .. 

65-74 years .................. 

5,686 6.3 o-4 

8.92 6.1 0.3 

Loo0 6.2 0.4 

726 6.3 0.4 

647 6.4 o-4 

1,176 6.4 0.4 

1,245 6.4 0.4 

5.7 

5.6 

5.6 

5.7 

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

Black 

18-74 years .................. 

18-24 years...; .............. 

25-34 yearsI............- .... 

35-44 years....- ............. 

45-54 years.............~~ ... 

55-64 years .................. 

65-74 years .................. 

782 6.4 0.5 5.8 

147 6.2 0.4 5.7 

145 6.3 0.5 5-6 

io3 6.5 O-5 5.9 

100 6.6 0.5 5-9 

135 6.7 0.5 6-O 

152 6.7 0.4 6.1 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.7 6-9 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.6 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.9 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.1 

6.0 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.2 

5.9 6.. 6.2 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.2 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.1 

5.7 5.8 s-9 6.i 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.7 6.8 

5.8 5.9 6.0 6.2 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.0 

5.9 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.1 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.6 6.9 7.0 7.2 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.9 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1 7.3 

5.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.5 6.6 6.7 6-8 

S-8 5-9 6-O 6.3 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.2 

6.0 6.0 6.1 6.4 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.2 

6.0 6-i 6.2 6.5 6.9 7.0 7.3 7.6 

6.1 6.2 6.4 6.6 6-9 7.2 7.4 ?*4 

6.1 6.2 6.4 6.7 7.0 7. I 7.3 7.4 

1/ Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 
Table 47. Handedness for persons 6 months-74 years of age --number examined and percent distribution 

by hand preference, according to sex and age: United States, 1976-80 

Hand preference 

Examined 

Sex and age persons Total Right Left Both Not sure 

Both sexes Number Percent distribution 

6-11 months ................ 

1 year ..................... 

2 years .................... 

3 years .................... 

4 years .................... 

5 years .................... 

6-11 years ................. 

12-17 years ................ 

18-24 years ................ 

25-34 years ................ 

356 

706 

711 

784 

800 

761 

1,725 

1,975 

2,054 

2,237 

I, 589 

I.453 

2,556 

2,615 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

iOO.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

400.0 

1oo;o 

100.0 

27.8 5.7 10.0 56.6 

42.5 9.0 11.7 36.9 

63.2 7.9 $0.7 18.2 

76.0 10.3 6.3 7.4 

82.4 9.4 3.3 4.9 

89.5 8.4 1 .6 0.5 

87.0 12.4 0.5 0.1 

87.0 11.7 1.3 0.0 

88.3 9.8 1 .s 0.1 

89.8 9.2 0.9 0.1 

91 .o 8.3 0.9 L 

93.4 5. I 1.5 - 

93.4 4.6 2.0 

94.2 3.8 1 l 9 0.0 

35-44 jmars . . . . . 8 . . . . '..... 

45-54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

55-64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

65-74 years .,.,........... 

Ma 1 

6-11 months 

e 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

1 year ..................... 

2 years .................... 

3 years .................... 

4 years....: ............... 

5 years .................... 

6-11 years ................. 

12-17 years ................ 

W-24 years ................ 

25-34 years ................ 

35-44 years ................ 

45-54 years ................ 

55~64 years ................ 

65-74 years ................ 

179 

370 

375 

418 

404 

397 

885 

1,039 

980 

1,067 

745 

690 

1,227 

1,199 

Fema 1 e 

6-U months ................ 177 

1 year ..................... 336 

2 years .................... 336 

3 years .................... 366 

4 years .................... 396 

5 years .................... 364 

6-U years ................. 840 

12-17 years ................ 936 

18-24 years ................ 1,066 

25-34 years ................ 1,170 

35-44 years ................ 844 

45-54 years ................ 763 

TV64 y@ars ................ -1; 329 

65-74 years ................ 1,416 

29.4 4.6 15.2 

42.5 7.6 10.7 

62.0 7.5 12,6 

74.9 10.5 6.8 

78.9 11.4 4.7 

88.8 8.8 j.9 

86.9 12.2 0.8 

84.5 13.9 I .6 

87.2 9.8 2.8 

87.9 10.5 1.6 

89.6 9.4 1 *o 

91.5 6.8 1.7 

91.7 6.0 2.3 

92 6 3 5.2 2.5 

26. i 6.5 4.5 

42.5 10.4 12.6 

64.5 a.2 8.7 

77.2 10.1 5.8 

86.2 7.2 1.8 

90.2 8.0 1.2 

87.2 12.5 0.1 

89”7 9.3 0.9 

89.3 9.7 1 l o 

91.6 7.9 0.3 

92.3 6.9 0.8 

95.2 3.5 1.3 

94.8 3.4 1.8 

95.7 2.8 1.5 

50.5 

39.1 

17.8 

7.8 

5.0 

0.5 

- 

0.; 

- 

0.; 

62.9 

34.5 

I8.6 

7.0 

- 4.8 

0.6 

0.3 

0.1 

0.; 

- 

- 

w 

L 

56 
. . . , . ‘r 

Appendixes 

Contents 

I. Statisticalnotes.........................................................................~ ......... 58 

Surveydesign .................................................................................... 58 

Estimationprocedures ............................................................................ 59 

Nonresponsebias ................................................................................ 61 

Missingdata ..................................................................................... 62 

Imputationprocess ............................................................................... 62 

Measuresofvariability ............................................................................ 62 

Ageadjustment .................................................................................. 64 

II. Data presentation and reliability. .................................................................... 

III. Demographic and socioeconomic terms. .............................................................. 

IV. Recordingform .................................................................................. 

V. Body measurement equipment and procedures ........................................................ 

Equipment ..................................................................................... 

General ................................................................................... ..... 

Measuringandrecording .......................................................................... 

Fieldchecks ..................................................................................... 

List of appendix figures 

I. Stages of selection for sample in the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

II. Definition of primary sampling units for the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. . . . . . . . 

List of appendix tables 

I. Sampling rates by age: Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

II. Sample size and response rates by age, sex, and race: Second National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey,1976-80............................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

III. Number of examined persons 6 months-19 years of age and estimated population, by race, sex, and age of 

examinee: United States, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

IV. Number of examined persons 18-74 years of age and estimated population, by race, sex, and age of examinee: 

United States, 197680. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

V. Percent distribution of nonresponse adjustment factors: Second National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey,1976-80................................................................................... 

VI. Number of examined persons 6 months-74 years of age with missing anthropometric measurements: Second 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

VII. Estimated design effects, by demographic classification and anthropometric measurement: Second National 

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

65 

66 

67 

69 

69 

69 

69 

72 

58 

58 

59 

59 

60 

61 

61 

62 

63 

57 
Appendix I 

Statistical notes 

Survey design 

The second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) utilized a stratified, multistage 

design that provided for the selection of samples at each 

stage with a known probability. In hierarchical order, the 

stages of selection were: primary sampling units (PSU’s), 

which are counties or small groups of contiguous counties; 

census enumeration districts; segments (clusters of households); households; and finally, sample persons (see 

figure I). 

Stage I I Stage II 

(primary 1 (Census 

sampling 1 enumetaunit) 

I 

tion dis- 

-I 

trict) 

1 PSU I ; Ierty from each 

of 64 

superstrata 

(from 461 

PSU’S 

I Stage Ill 

1 (segment) 

I 

I 

NOTES: PSU = primary sampling unit. NHIS = National 

Survey. ED = enumeration district. 

I Stage IV 

I (sample 

I person) 

I 

I . l 

I 

I 

Approximately 1 

1 person 

I Per 

household 

I ’ OverI sample 

I Young 

I and old 

I 

Health Interview 

Figure I. Stages of selection for sample in the second National 

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

NHANES II is based on a subset of the sample PSU’s 

in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)25 (see 

figure II). The self-representing PSU’s in NHIS were first 

split along county boundaries. Within each region, each 

county was classified as either a self-representing or a 

non-self-representing PSU. The PSU’s that were non-selfrepresenting were further combined into homogeneous 

classes or strata equal in size to the NHIS strata containing 

non-self-representing PSU’s. 

Subdividing the 156 self-representing PSU’s in NHIS 

and redefining the PSU’s by using county boundaries resulted in a total of 397 PSU’s, of which 198 were defined as 

self-representing and 199 were defined as nonNOTE: A list of references follows the text. 

58 

self-representing. The latter were used to form 43 non-selfrepresenting strata, which were combined with the other 

220 non-self-representing PSU’s in NHIS. The average 

population of a self-representing PSU was reduced from 

838,000 to 584,000. The average area of these PSU’s was 

reduced more than 60 percent, from 2,185 square miles to 

855 square miles. 

The 461 first-stage units (redefined from NHIS strata) 

were further stratified into a total of 64 superstrata, and 

one PSU was selected from each of the superstrata using a 

modified Goodman-tish controlled-selection technique?” 

These 64 PSU’s were the geographic locations visited by the 

mobile examination centers during the survey period. 

The U.S. Bureau of the Census had the major responsibility for selecting households and sample persons within 

each PSU. Three sampling frames of housing units were 

. 

NHIS PSlJ’s ; Redefinition of PSU’s 

I 

I 

156 self- I 

I 

198 selfrepresentfined 

PSU’S 

> 

199 nonselfrepresenting redef fined 

I PSU’S 

I 

I ‘T 

I 43 nonI 

selfrepresentI 

I 

I 

I 

fined 

PSU’S 

t b 

NOTES: NHIS = National Health Interview Survey. PSU = primary 

sampling unit. 

Figure II, Definition of primary sampling units for the second 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 
used to select the sample within each PSU. The list frame 

consisted of all housing units located in the 1970 Census of 

the Population.25 

In the second stage, enumeration districts (ED’s) 

within each stratum were selected proportional to their 

measures of size. An ED is a geographical area that 

contains approximately 300 housing units. In order to 

oversample persons with low incomes, the ED’s within each 

PSU were stratified into a poverty stratum and a nonpoverty stratum. The poverty strata contained ED’s with 13 

percent or more of persons below the poverty level, and the 

nonpoverty strata contained ED’s with less than 13 percent 

of persons below the poverty level, as determined by the 

1970 census. 

The third stage of the design consisted of selection of 

clusters of households (segments) within ED’s To ensure 

sampling reliability, clusters of 16 listed addresses were 

_; drawn from the sampling frames and then systematically 

subsampled at a rate of 1 out of 2 to produce a final 

segment of 8 household address listings. 

At the fourth stage of sampling, a list was made of all 

eligible sample persons within each selected segment. The 

sample of persons to be examined was selected so that the 

younger and older age groups were oversampled and approximately one person per sample household was selected. 

The sampling rates by age are shown in table I. 

NOTE: A list of references follows the text. 

Table I. Sampling rates by age: Second National Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80 

AsYe Rate 

6 months-5 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . % 

6-59 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l/s 

60-74 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . % 

Of the 27,801 persons included in the NHANES II 

sample, 25,286 (91 percent) were interviewed and 20,322 

(73 percent) were interviewed and examined. The 

NHANES II sample size and response rates by age, sex, 

and race are shown in table II. The number of examined 

persons and population estimates are shown in tables III 

and IV. A more complete description of the sample survey 

design is included in Vital and Health Statistics, Series 1, 

No. 15.l 

Estimation procedures 

Because the design of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a complex multistage probability sample, national estimates are derived 

through a multistage estimation procedure. The procedure 

has three basic components: (a) Inflation by the reciprocal 

of the probability of selection, (b) adjustment for nonresponse, and (c) poststratification by age, sex, and race. A 

brief description of each component follows. 

l Inflation by the reciprocal of th.e probability of selection. 

The probability of selection is the product of the probabilities of selection from each stage of selection in the 

design-PSU, segment, household and sample person. 

l Adjustment for nonresponse. The estimates are inflated by 

a multiplication factor that brings estimates based on 

examined persons up to the level that would have been 

achieved if all sample persons had been examined. To 

calculate the nonresponse adjustment factor, the sum of 

the reciprocals of the probability of selection for all 

selected sampEe persons within each of five income 

groups (less than $6,000, $G,OOO-$9,999, $lO,OOO- 

$14,999, $15,000-$24,999, and $25,000 or more), three 

age groups (6 months-5 years, 6-59 years, and 60-74 

years), four geographic regions, and within or outside a 

standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) was obtained. This sum was then divided by the sum of the 

Table II. Sample size and response rates by age, sex, and race: Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80 

Age, sex, and race 

Total 

sample size 

Intetviewed Examined 

Number Percent Number Percent 

Total ....................................................................... 

Age 

6 months-l 1 months ...................................................... 

l-5 years .................................................................. 

6-l 1 years ................................................................. 

12- 17 years ................................................................ 

18-24 years ................................................................ 

25-34 years ................................................................ 

35-44 years ................................................................ 

45-54 years ................................................................ 

55-64 years ................................................................ 

65-74 years ................................................................ 

Sex 

27,801 25,286 90.95 20,322 73.10 

444 431 97.07 356 80.18 

4,625 4,445 96.11 3,762 81.34 

2,085 1,963 94.15 1,725 82.73 

2,438 2,304 94.50 1,975 81 .Ol 

2,713 2,537 93.51 2,054 75.71 

3,031 2,773 91.49 2,237 73.80 

236 2,005 89.67 1,589 71.06 

2,149 1,866 86.83 1,453 67.61 

3,868 3,330 86.09 2,556 66.08 

4.212 3,632 86.23 2,615 62.09 

Female .................................................................... 

Male ....................................................................... 

Race 

14,395 13,122 91.16 10,339 71.82 

13,406 12,164 90.74 9,983 74.47 

White ..................................................................... 23,537 21,350 90.71 17,105 72.67 

Black ...................................................................... 3,653 3,389 92.77 2,763 75.64 

Other ...................................................................... 611 547 89.53 454 74.30 

‘Completed medical history interview. 

59 
Table III. Number of examined persons 6 months-19 years of age and estlmated populatlon, by race, sex, and age of examinee: United 

States, 1976-80 

Sex and age 

All races’ White BkCk 

Number of Estimated Number of Estimated Number of Estimated 

examined population examined population examined population 

persons in thousands persons in thousands persons in thbusands 

Both sexes 

6 months-19 years ........................................ 

6-11 months ............................................... 

1 year ..................................................... 

2years .................................................... 

3years .................................................... 

4years .................................................... 

5years .................................................... 

6years .................................................... 

7years .................................................... 

8years .................................................... 

9years .................................................... 

10 years ................................................... 

11 years ................................................... 

12years ................................................... 

13years ................................................... 

14years ................................................... 

15 years ................................................... 

16 years ................................................... 

17years ................................................... 

l8years ................................................... 

19years ................................................... 

Male 

6 months-19 years ........................................ 

6-11 months ............................................... 

1 year ..................................................... 

2years .................................................... 

3years .................................................... 

4years .................................................... 

5years .................................................... 

6 years .................................................... 

7years .................................................... 

8 years .................................................... 

9 years ..................................................... 

10 years ................................................... 

11 years ................................................... 

12years ................................................... 

13 years ................................................... 

14 years ................................................... 

15years ................................................... 

16years ................................................... 

17years ................................................... 

18years ................................................... 

19years ................................................... 

Female 

6 months-19 years ........................................ 

6-11 months ............................................... 

1 year ..................................................... 

2years .................................................... 

3years .................................................... 

4 years .................................................... 

5years .................................................... 

6years .................................................... 

7 years .................................................... 

8 years .................................................... 

9 years .................................................... 

10 years ................................................... 

11 years ................................ ................... 

12years ................................................... 

13years ................................................... 

14 years ................................................... 

15years ................................................... 

16years ................................................... 

17 years ................................................... 

18years ................................................... 

19years ................................................... 

8,458 69,949 6,804 57,833 1,427 

356 1,599 285 1,300 62 

706 3,103 547 2,511 133 

711 2,974 566 2,375 117 

784 3,013 625 2,424 131 

800 3,034 633 2,480 149 

761 3,139 608 2,552 131 

268 3,382 214 2,725 43 

305 3,570 237 2,941 61 

270 3,261 226 2,705 38 

294 3,600 244 2,983 43 

293 3,501 237 2,898 52 

295 3,566 239 3,012 51 

292 3,395 238 2,809 46 

335 3,939 259 3,149 67 

364 4,298 302 3,652 56 

329 4,176 277 3,565 48 

348 4,337 290 3,687 50 

307 3,939 244 3,164 54 

334 4,206 277 3,547 50 

306 3,916 256 3,354 45 

10.172 

238 

467 

458 

461 

472 

488 

516 

531 

468 

532 

548 

498 

467 

670 

561 

563 

557 

617 

566 

493 

4,379 35,451 3,506 29,201 734 5,069 

179 819 130 646 42 

370 1,586 280 1,279 77 

375 1,521 290 1,195 67 

418 1,541 324 1,243 79 

404 1,550 318 1,268 76 

397 1,604 321 1,278 58 

133 1,724 114 1,384 13 

148 1,823 118 1,524 27 

147 1,789 123 1,449 19 

145 1,709 121 1,396 19 

157 1,817 123 1,471 31 

155 1,784 126 1,543 27 

145 1,647 120 1,356 21 

173 2,086 134 1,655 32 

186 2,187 156 1,853 26 

184 2,095 160 1,820 22 

178 2,115 148 1,800 26 

173 2,110 135 1,649 30 

164 2,067 139 1,760 23 - 

148 1,877 126 1,630 19 

121 

236 

232 

234 

239 

246 

260 

267 

260 

242 

301 

224 

230 

337 

285 

261 

278 

328 

284 

4,079 34,498 3,298 28,632 693 5,103 

177 780 155 654 20 117 

336 1,517 267 1,232 56 231 

336 1,453 276 1,180 50 226 

366 1,472 301 1,181 52 227 

396 1,484 315 1,212 73 234 

364 1,535 287 1,274 73 242 

135 1,659 100 1,341 30 257 

157 1,747 119 1,417 34 264 

123 1,472 103 1,257 19 208 

149 1,892 123 1,587 24 290 

136 1,684 114 1,427 21 247 

140 1,782 113 1,469 24 274 

147 1,748 118 1,453 25 237 

162 1,854 125 1,494 35 333 

178 2,111 146 1,799 30 276 

145 2,082 117 1,745 26 302 

170 2,222 142 1,887 24 280 

134 1,828 109 1,515 24 ' 289 

170 2,140 138 1,787 27 282 

158 2,039 130 1,724 26 287 

‘Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

60 
Table IV. Number of examined persons 18-74 years of age and estimated population, by race, sex, and age of examinee: United States, 

1976-80 

Sex and age 

All races’ White Black 

Number of Estimated Number of Estimated Number of Estimated 

examined populatEon examined population examined population 

persons In thousands persons in thousands persons in thousands 

Both sexes 

18-74ydars ................................................ 

20-74 years ............................................. 

18-24years ................................................ 

20-24years ............................................. 

. 25-34years ................................................ 

35-44 years ................................................ 

45-54years ................................................ 

55-64 years ................................................ 

65-74years ................................................ 

Male 

18-74years ................................................ 

20-74 years ............................................. 

18-24years ................................................ 

20-24years ............................................. 

25-34 years ................................................ 

35-44 years ................................................ 

45-54 years ................................................ 

55-64 years ................................................ 

65-74 years ................................................ 

Female 

18-74 years ................................................ 

20-74years ............................................. 

18-24 years ................................................ 

20-24 years ............................................. 

25-34 years ................................................ 

35-44 years ................................................ 

45-54years ................................................ 

55-64 years ................................................ 

65-74years ................................................ 

12,504 141,728 10,834 123,494 1,431 14,740 

11,864 133,605 10,301 116,593 1,336 13,681 

2,054 27,448 1,738 23,362 268 3,406 

1,414 19,325 1,205 16,461 173 2,347 

2,237 32,752 1,901 28,357 284 3,499 

1,589 23,651 1,379 20,392 173 2,527 

1,453 23,032 1,264 20,235 162 2,259 

2,556 20,350 2,262 18,243 264 1,760 

2,615 14,496 2,290 12,906 280 1,288 

5,916 67,555 5,148 59,198 649 6,592 

5,604 63,611 4,883 55,808 607 6,102 

988 13,275 846 11,442 121 1,533 

676 9,331 581 8,052 79 1,043 

1,067 15,895 901 13,864 139 1,546 

745 11,367 653 9,808 70 1,112 

690 11,114 617 9,865 62 1,044 

1,227 9,607 1,086 8,642 129 801 

1,199 6,297 1,045 5,576 128 555 

6,588 74,173 5,686 64,296 782 8,148 

6,260 69,994 5,418 60,785 729 7,579 

1,066 14,173 892 11,919 147 1,873 

738 9,994 624 8,408 94 1,304 

1,170 16,856 1,000 14,494 145 1,953 

844 12,284 726 10,584 103 1,415 

763 11,918 647 10,369 100 1,215 

1,329 10,743 1,176 9,601 135 959 

1,416 8,198 1,245 7,329 152 733 

‘Includes all other races not shown as separate categories. 

reciprocals of the probability of selection for examined 

sample persons in the same income, age, region, and 

SMSA groups. The percent distribution of the nonresponse adjustment factors is shown in table V. 

l Poststrati’cation by age, SW and race. The estimates of 

the number of examined persons were ratio adjusted 

within each of 75 age-sex-race cells to independent estimates, provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, of the 

population as of March 1,1978, approximate midpoint of 

the survey. The ratio adjustment used a multiplication 

factor in which the numerator was the U.S. population 

and the denominator was the sum of the weights adjusted 

for nonresponse for examined persons. This ratio estimation process brings the population estimates into close 

agreement with the U. S. Bureau of the Census estimates 

of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the 

United States. In general, it reduces sampling errors of 

NHANES 11 estimates. 

Nonresponse bias 

In health examination surveys such as NHANES, there 

exists the potential for three levels of nonresponse: household interview nonresponse, examination nonresponse, and 

item nonresponse. Household interview nonresponse occurs when the household medical history questionnaire is 

Table V. Percent distribution of nonresponse adjustment factors: 

Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 

1976-80 

Size of factor Percent distribution 

Total ..,......,................ l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.0 

1.00-1.24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.8 

1.25-1.49 .,..........,..........,...................,..,... 54.8 

1.50-1.74 .,.........,.....,.................,.............. 10.9 

1.75-1.99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 

2.00-2.49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 

2.50-2.99 .,.........,......,...,.,.....................,,.. 0.9 

not completed. Examination nonresponse occurs when 

sample persons who respond to the household questions do 

not come to the examination center for an examination. 

Item nonresponse results when sample persons, interviewers, or examiners do not complete some portion of either 

the household interview questionnaires or the examination 

protocol. Intense efforts were undertaken during NHANES 

11 to develop and implement procedures and inducements 

that would reduce all types of nonresponse and thereby 

reduce the potential for bias in the survey estimates. These 

procedures are discussed in Vital and Health Statistics, 

Series 1, No. 15.l 

NOTE: A list of references follows the text. 

61 
In NHANES II, the medical history interview nonresponse was 9 percent, and, despite intense efforts to reduce 

the number of examination nonrespondents, an additional 

18 percent of the 27,801 persons selected for NHANES II 

were not examined (table II). However, a comparison of 

the 1976 National Health Interview Survey and NHANES 

112’ suggests that the nonresponse bias for some healthrelated variables was not large because selected interview 

items in NHANES II data agree so closely with comparable 

items in the 1976 NHIS data. The 1976 NHIS was used for 

comparison because it included data on diabetes, which was 

also of interest in NHANES II, and because the nonresponse rate was 4 percent. The author assumed that the 

4-percent nonresponse was randomly distributed. 

Data from earlier studies also suggest that no substantial nonresponse bias exists. An analysis of data on examined and nonexamined (but interviewed) persons was done 

using the first 35 stands of the first National Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I).28 The two 

groups were found to be quite similar with respect to the 

health characteristics that were compared. In another study 

of examined and nonexamined persons selected for participation in NHANES I, no differences were found between 

the two groups with respect to health-related variables.29 In 

another study,30 factors relating to response in Cycle I of 

the National Health Examination Survey of 1960-62 were 

investigated. It was found that 36 percent of the nonexamined persons in that survey viewed themselves as being 

in excellent health, compared with 31 percent of examined 

persons. A self-appraisal of poor ‘health was made by 5 

percent of nonexamined persons and by 6 percent of those 

who were examined. 

In a different study of Cycle I,31 comparisons between 

two extreme groups -those who participated in the survey 

with no persuasive effort and those who participated only 

after a great deal of persuasive effort-indicated that differences between the two groups generally had little effect 

on estimates based on numerous selected examination and 

questionnaire items. These findings were interpreted as 

evidence that no large bias exists between the two groups 

for the items investigated, and they were offered as further 

support for the belief that little bias is introduced into the 

findings because of differences in health characteristics 

between examined and nonexamined persons. As shown in 

table II, response rates differ by age; however, the number 

of interviewed and examined sample persons was poststratified to agree with U.S. Bureau of the Census population 

estimates to account for such differences. 

Missing data 

In examination surveys, information is lost not only 

through the failure to examine all sample persons but also 

from the failure to obtain and record all items of information for examined persons. Age, sex, and race were known 

for every examined person. However, one or more of the 

NOTE: A list of references follows the text. 

anthropometric measurements were not available for ‘,a 

number of examinees. The extent of these missing measurements is indicated in table VI. 

Table VI. Number of examined persons 6 months-74 years of age 

with missing anthropometric measurements: Second National 

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80 

Measurement Number 

Bitrochantric breadth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 

El bow breadth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Mid-upper arm circumference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

Chest circumference: 

Erect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

Supine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..~................. 45 

Triceps skinfold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 

Subscapular skinfold ..,,..................,.................,.....,,.....* 281 

Sitting height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Height . . . . . . ..I............................................................ 64 

Handedness ..,......................,...,..................,............. 465 

Imputation process 

Estimates for missing anthropometric data were generally made on the basis of a multiple-regression type of 

decision, substituting for the missing measurements those 

of an individual who was of the same age, sex, and race and 

who had other dimensions similar to those available for the 

examinee with incomplete data. When no anthropometric 

data were available for an examined person, a respondent 

of the same age-sex-race group was selected at random and 

his or her measurements were assigned to the nonexamined 

person. However, handedness, chest circumference, crownrump length, and recumbent length were not imputed. 

Skinfold thickness values were imputed if the skin was 

so tightly bound to the underlying muscle that the technician could not pick it up into a double fold. The technician 

recorded that he or she was unable to read the skinfold 

thickness measurement, rather than-implying that the skinfold existed but was so small that it measured-zero. 

Measures of variability 

Because the statistics presented in this report are based 

on a sample, they may differ from the figures that would 

have been obtained if a complete census had been taken 

using the same survey instruments, instructions, interview 

and examination personnel, and procedures. The probability design of this survey permits the estimation of standard 

deviations and errors, although the highly clustered, multistage probability sample design must be taken into account. 

The reader should be aware that estimates of variances and 

standard errors from this type of design are different from 

and generally larger than standard errors calculated under 

the assumption of simple random sampling. I 

Standard deviations 

The standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion 

of the observations in a population. It is useful in describing 

the width of the distribution of the values in a populatiorL 

This measure can usually be estimated from a probability 

62 

. . , 
sample. As estimated in this report, the standard deviation 

also reflects part of the variation that arises in the measurement process. If the values follow a normal (that is, 

Gaussian) distribution in a population, as the stature measurements do, then 1 standard deviation above and below 

the mean encompasses approximately 68 percent of the 

distribution; 2 standard deviations, about 95 percent; and 

2% standard deviations, about 99 percent. The estimates of 

standard deviations presented in the detailed tables were 

calculated using the sample weights. 

Variance estimation 

Because of the sample design and estimation procedures used in NHANES II, special procedures should be 

used to analyze data from this survey. The theory for the 

procedures and a design-based analytic approach to data 

from NHANES were presented in a monograph designed 

to aid users of data from NHANES I.“2 The purpose of this 

section is to provide information and guidance in variance 

estimation for analysis of NHANES II body measurement 

data. 

A design-based approach is used; that is, the sample 

design is taken into account in variance estimation procedures. Two aspects of the NHANES design must be taken 

into account: One is the sample weights, the other is the 

complex sample design. Sample weights and the strata and 

pseudo primary sampling units from the sample design are 

needed to estimate variance and test for statistical significance. 

Sample weights and variance estimtiiort-Each person 

in the sample represents a large number of people in the 

U.S. population. If each sample person represented the 

same number of people in the population (that is, if they 

had equal probabilities of selection), the data could be used 

NOTE:, A list of references follows the text, 

without weights to study relationships. Because they do not, 

the sample weights, which incorporate the selection probabilities, a nonresponse adjustment, and poststratification, 

must be used to produce correct population estimates. 

Sample design and variance estimation--The need for 

incorporating the sample design is not as readily apparent 

as the need for incorporating weights. Most methods of 

statistical analysis taught in classes depend on the assumption of simple random sampling. In surveys with complex 

sample designs, the assumption of simple random sampling 

is seldom appropriate. It usually leads to estimating smaller 

variances than those estimated taking the complex sample 

design into account. The smaller variances lead to more 

apparently statistically significant differences than would be 

found using the complex sample design. 

The design effect is defined as the ratio of the variance 

of a statistic from a complex sample (CS) to the variance of 

the same statistic from a simple random sample (SRS) of 

the same size; that is, 

Variance, Design effect = Variance 

SRS 

The design effect is often used to show the impact of the 

complex sample design on variances. If the design effect is 

near 1, the complex sample design has little effect on the 

variances, and one could consider assuming simple 

random sampling for the analysis. However, design effects 

in NHANES I and II were rarely near 1 and their size 

was inconsistent. 

The design effects shown in table VII are the averages 

of design effects for the age groups usually presented in 

Series 11 publications in the vital and Health Statistics 

series. The computer program SESUDAAN”” was used to 

compute the age-specific design effects that are the basis 

for the average design effects. Estimates for large age 

Table VII. Estimated design effects, by demographic classification and anthropometric measurement: Second National Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-80 

Race-sex group 

Anthropometric measurement1 

Mean or AN White Black All White Black 

proportion Total males mates males females females females 

Design effect 

Weight (6 months-74 years) ....................................................... 

Body mass index (2-74 years) .................................................... 

Height (2-74 years) ................................................................ 

Recumbent length (6 months-3 years) ............................................ 

Sitting height (2-74 years) ......................................................... 

Crown-rump length (6 months-3 years) ........................................... 

Triceps skinfold (6 months-74 years) ............................................. 

Subscapular skinfold (6 months-74 years) ........................................ 

Mid-upper-arm circumference (6 months-74 years) ............................... 

Chest circumference: 

2-7 years, erect ................................................................. 

6 months-3 years, supine ....................................................... 

Head circumference (6 months-7 years) .......................................... 

Bitrochanteric breadth (6 months-74 years) ....................................... 

Elbow breadth (6 months-74 years) ............................................... 

Ovetweig ht (20-74 years) ......................................................... 

Ti 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.0 1.4 1.5 1.3 

z 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.3 

Yi 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.1 1.4 1.5 1.3 

z 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.0 1.8 1.8 1.0 

z 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.3 1.8 1.9 1.4 

z 1.9 2.4 2.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 

x 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.4 2.0 1.9 1.4 

2 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.4 

si 2.0 1.7 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.7 1.3 

z 5.1 5.7 4.4 3.4 2.0 1.8 1.1 

2 3.2 2.7 2.6 1.9 2.3 1.7 1.5 

z 3.3 3.5 2.1 4.3 1.7 2.0 1.1 

x 2.9 2.4 2.3 1.2 2.0 2.0 1.4 

E 2.5 2.3 2.3 1.2 2.6 2.5 1.4 

P 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.5 

‘Ages in parentheses indicate the age group for which measurement was obtained. 

63 
ranges, such as “all ages combined” or “all adults,” are not l For black males 18-24 years, 

included in these averages. Variance (simple random sample) = (3.4)2/121 = 0.096. 

The statistical approach used for computing the complex sample variances in SESUDAAN is a first-order Taylor approximation of the deviations of estimates from their 

expected values. This method for obtaining approximations 

to complex sample variances in large samples is well 

knownY4 Woodruff? presented applications of this technique to sample surveys. 

Thus, the estimated complex sample variances are as 

follows: 

* For white males, 

Variance (complex sample) = (1.8)(.014) = 0.025. 

l For black males, 

Variance (complex sample) = (1.3)(.096) = 0.125. 

Statistical computing and variance estimation --In order 

to eliminate the many tables that would be required to 

present variance estimates for all the statistics in this 

report, a “variance smoothing” approach has been used for 

the presentation of estimated variances for the anthropometric measures. By using this approach, a variance estimate for a sample mean &) is produced in two steps. First, 

the simple random sample estimate of variance is calculated by squaring the standard deviation of the sample (S,S 

and dividing it by the size of the sample (nJ. This step is 

summarized by the following equation: 

Statistical testing and variance estimation -Once the 

complex sample variance has been calculated using the 

design effect, one can proceed with the standard procedures for statistical hypothesis testing. 

In order to test the difference in mean sitting height 

between black males and white males ages 18-24 years, the 

usual test (in which the estimated variances are treated as 

constants and the covariance between the means is ignored) 

is defined as 

2 = (&, -&)/ v VAR (&) + VAR &). 

Variance (simple random sample) = (&,,>“ln, . 

Second, the simple random sample estimate of variance 

is multiplied by a design effect (defined as the effect that 

the complex sampling design has on the magnitude of the 

variances) that corresponds to the variable of interest (such 

as type of body measurement by race and sex) to produce 

the complex sample variance estimate of @). 

The complex sample variance of a percent can be 

determined in a similar way. Assuming simple random 

sampling, the variance for the percent is calculated by 

converting the percent to a proportion and using the standard formula for the variance of a proportion: 

Using the appropriate means (table 20) and the variances 

described previously, the 2 statistic for this example is 

2 = (93.3 - 89.7)/ vO.025 + 0.125 

= 9.3 (p < 0.01). 

Variance (simple random sample) = pqln. 

This variance (simple random sample) multiplied by 

the design effect provides an estimate of the variance from 

a complex sample of the same sample size (n>. 

&mpZe-The following example is illustrative. The 

variances for the mean sitting heights of black and white 

males ages 18-24 years (denoted by x’-, and &, respectively) are estimated using the following calculations: 

The user should recognize that this approach does not 

incorporate the variance-covariance matrix. In most cases, 

this leads to a slight overestimate of the variance because 

the covariance terms that are subtracted in the variance of a 

ratio are usually positive. Thus, in a borderline case, the 

null hypothesis would be less likely to be rejected using this 

approach than using the estimated covariance approach? 

Age adjustment 

l For white males 18-24 years, 

Variance (simple random sample) = (3.5)2/846 = 0.014. 

The age-adjusted percents presented in this report 

were calculated by the direct method and were adjusted to 

the age distribution of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the United States at the midpoint of NHANES 

II. Because age distributions differ by sex and race, comparisons are made using age-adjusted values. Age-adjusted 

data for sex and race groups can be compared directly 

because the values assume identical age distributions for all 

subgroups. These adjusted or standardized values are 

meaningful only when comparing subgroups of the populaNOTE: A list of references follows the text. tion to control for confounding by age. 

64 
Appendix II 

Data presentation and 

reliability 

The estimates in this report are numerical descriptions 

of the distribution of body measurements and overweight in 

certain population groups. Among the descriptive measures 

are means, percentiles, percents, prevalence rates, cumulative percent distributions, and standard deviations. 

The mean value for a population group is the sum of 

each value times its weight in the group divided by the sum 

of the weights for that group. In calculating age-adjusted 

means, it is assumed that each group has the same age 

distribution; thus adjusting for the effect of age allows 

comparison- of combined mean values among population 

groups. 

A percentile is a value that indicates the percentage of 

people in a population with a value less than or equal to the 

percentile value. The prevalence rate for a population is the 

proportion of persons who are believed to be at risk for a 

particular condition or disease in the population or who 

exhibit the condition, disease, or risk characteristic at a 

given time. 

The standard deviation is an estimate of the degree to 

which values vary in a population. A large standard deviation indicates that the distribution of values is broad and 

flat; a small estimated standard deviation implies a narrow, 

spiked distribution. For further discussion of these measures, see appendix I. 

The statistical guidelines used in this publication for 

reporting means, standard deviations, and percentiles are as 

follows. 

Means and percents: 

l If the sample size in the cell was less than 25, the value of 

the estimated sample mean or percent is not reported. 

l If the sample size was 25-44, the sample mean or percent 

is reported with an asterisk (*) beside it to indicate that 

the statistic does not meet the reliability standard. 

e If the sample size was 45 or more, the sample mean or 

percent is presented without caveat. 

Standard deviations: 

l If the sample size in the cell was less than 25, no 

estimated values for the standard deviation are presented. 

Percentiles: 

l The following sample sizes were required for the presentation of percentile estimates given in this report: 

Sample size Percentile 

lo....................... 50th 

20....................... 25th and 75th 

35....................... 15th and 85th 

50....................... 10th and 90th 

loo....................... 5th and 95th 

l If these minimum sample sizes were not met, an asterisk 

is shown in the cell. 

65 
Appendix Ill 

Demographic and 

socioeconomic terms 

Age-Two ages were recorded for each examinee: Age ’ 

at last birthday prior to the time of examination and age at 

the time of the Census interview. The age criterion for 

inclusion in the sample used in this survey was defined as 

age at the time of Census interview. The adjustment and 

weighting procedures used to produce national estimates 

were based on age at time of interview. Data in the detailed 

tables and text of the report are also shown by age at time 

of interview. 

Race-For each individual, race was observed and 

recorded by the interviewer as “white,” “black,” or “other.” 

“0 ther” includes Japanese, Chinese, American Indian, Korean, Eskimo, and all races other than white and black. 

Persons of Mexican descent were included with “white” 

unless definitely known to be American Indian or of another race. Black persons and persons of mixed black and 

other parentage were recorded as black. When the interviewer was uncertain of the person’s racial background, the 

person was asked about his o.r her race. If the person was 

uncertain, the race of the father was recorded. 

66 
Appendix IV 

Recording form 

IRM HRAJ2.7 

~~‘;‘M.,RLY HRA-12.7AI m 

OEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE 

PUBt:C HEALTH SERVICE 

HEALTH RESOURCES AKWINIS.TRATION 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR clEAL’I’n S’I A TIYTlCS 

1 

Form Approved: O.M. B. No, 68mRI 502 

L 

NOTfCE - All information whick would 

permit identification of the individual will ’ 

be held in strict confidence, will be used i 

only by persorls engaged in and for the i 

Pleasure left side atsa if the last digit br ex.aminee’s sample number is 3 or 6. 

8 

1, 

i 

Bi trochantcri c breadth t102 0 - we- 

. 

2, E tbow breadth 

Right side W --1 

~ ~~~~_~ 

Left side I !@ --.- I 0 104 --em 

3. Upper arm girth 

4, Chest circumference - Midpoint 

t Right side 

I 

@--AI 

t 

I 

Left side 

-0 106 -F-m 

i 

a, Eiect (Ages 2 through 7) i@ m -.- 

------.-------------,---.--- --..--LCT --.r_- k---- --------------------_________L___ 

I 

t 

b. Supine (Ages 3 and under) @ - -*- 

r 

5. Head circumference (Ages 7 and under) t 

t 110 ,O -.I*- 

Right side 

I 

Left side 

6. Triceps skinfold (mm.) 

i 

Ill1 --*7 I 0 0 112 - -*m 

I Right side I Left side 

7. Subscapular skinfold (mm.) 

i 

80. Sitting height (Ages 2 and over! ‘@ --•m 

a----------.....-... --. w. - - -. -. - .” - -. -a . . - . . . . -~--------------------------r-C--------r---rr-rr. 

b. Crown rump (Ages 3 and under) 

9, Is examinee right or left handed? 

qi$ e-v1 

!@ I C Right handed 

I 

1 

2 iJ Left handed 

I 

3 *a’ Uses both hands about the same 

I 4 LJ Nat sure 

1 

I 1 Sample number 

10. Weight (Ibs,) 

1 N? 57191 f ,O I 118 ---.-B 0 100 

67 
Ila. Standing height (cm.) (Ages 2 and over) 

-~--------d---------_____________IL_ 

b, Standing height (inches) (Ages 2 and over) 

----------C-L-------------- 

I 

C. Recumbent length (cm.) (Ages 3 and under) ;(cJ---A 

-“----------------------------------j~-~ 1 .d. !, ‘.i : ;, :- .‘LX,,~.... : i .“.z;;F: -~~;~~rJ7$yyj-z;yI - ~.~;.,,i~~~:-:~;?y q ;yT--y> y.“:“.f.z;- 

. . . : . ,~ ;,,..,:” :‘:?.;q. --. . . :, +Tj(ii: .:-, j::c: ;:: f?i -.b ‘“::I- ..:... i*L 

‘ - ‘!, .,.:.-.:: 1 - ,;:,s :‘i-;- ;i. ;., .::.-:;i;,~~.ir,~...-r ‘: ‘... -f-r 

,, .-‘P r !a. : .L 

il“:,: Y~:;~?;-+~~: i;l;$yz;:‘:i, &;l’p$; ‘;;;;‘:,;:$J iii .;;, y+:i!: ;; i ‘:l-i~rl~:‘.;!!bri,‘.-:.-.- ‘. ,.?*:‘.:iY. f 

d. Recumbent length (inches) (Ages 3 and under) 0 . . . . . ..i y; t,: ..r.. ; , ;: : : ,__ - . . 

7 ‘I.‘$% .I’;, ;.:; B!” :I; 0;‘:;;; ..I -I .-b- ;:: i!‘;:$ :y, .:; y b&t.:: 

12, Cervical Spine (Ages 18 and over) 

ji$i$,y::~~ &3~,:;;,+- ~ ,.,_ il ,!,, 

., i.:,,,6:, f!,L”.;; - .i‘ :l.~;.:i.sr;i~i”.~“: :‘:-.:A:1‘. ,I 

-- ‘rc:‘r:+;;. !;r&;:::;, ;: ::;!:;:!,.y,; ;:;;.j’:r;;,;;, i; : !!::s-Tj: ;~~.;:.~:.:.~:I,r ,::,.r* 

. *:.‘.” . ..i... ,.; .,,. ,:.t.YL . . . . ..y...-. 

_,, 

, .r .b ,,+i:! ‘T-,, jr;. ;‘.,, :;: rp:: : ;,$&;-y; ‘,i:,l.;,:“i!::~i~i::i,:,‘;.,;‘~lr’!.~ 

I 

I Right I Left 

I 

a. Rotation (degrees) 921 0 --- 

----.------------------ --...-----------. -----L--------c------ 

Severity of pain I 1123 0OnNone 

I 

(Mark one box in each column) I 1 0 Doubtful 

I 

i 

z 0 Minimal 

I 

3 E Moderate 

1 I 4 I-J Maximal 

I Right 

b. Lateral bending (degrees) I 1 0 125 - - - ----c---MB----- - - .- ----------y------- ----- --- 

Severity of pain 1 0 127 0 u None 

(Mark one box in each column) 1 

I 

1 a Doubtful 

I 2 fl Minimal 

I 3 a Moderate 

I 4 q Maximal 

I I 

13. Lumbar Spine (Ages 18 and over) 

Flexion Cl to SI 

I 

I 

a. Erect (cm.) 1129 mm- 

--~~-~~~~-~----~~~~~-~-~-~~~~~~~-...~.----(~~~~~-~------~--- .O - 

b. Flexed (cm.) 

0 122 --- 

--------v-----c--- 

0 124 o 1__1 None 

I 0 Doubtful 

2 11.1 Minimal 

3 j---J Moderate 

4 i--J Maximal 

Left 

0 126 - m m 

0 128 0 0 None 

I u Doubtful 

2 0 Minimal 

3 11 Moderate 

4 11 Maximal 

J ores 

? 

Sample number 

I N? 51191 

FORM HRA-12-Y (2-19-76) Page 2 

68 
Appendix V 

Body measurement 

equipment and procedures 

The information presented here is excerpted from 

Examination Staff Procedures Manual for the Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey, 19761979, Part 15a.37 

Equipment 

Anthropometer parts: 2 sets of four sections each, 

4 sliding arms, 1 circular metal base 

Footstool 

Sliding calipers 

Skinfold calipers 

Steel tape - 

Fiberglass tape 

Special height scale 

Polaroid land camera 

Special light attachment for camera 

Self-balancing weight scale 

Set of weights for calibration of weight scale (one 25lb 

weight and five 50.lb weights) 

Children’s measuring board 

General 

Two anthropometers are provided, one as a spare. 

Each anthropometer consists of a rod in four sections with 

two caliper arms. One of the arms is fixed to the top end of 

the instrument; the other slides. The lower two sections are 

used for sitting heights and will be mounted in the circular 

metal base. The top section is used for bitrochanteric 

breadth. The remaining section can be used when required 

for measuring sitting heights of large examinees. The sliding calipers used to measure elbow breadth may become 

too loose; if so, use candle wax to tighten them. 

With these anthropometers there are three sources of 

error which must be checked daily. The chief technician 

should see that: 

1. 

2. 

3 . 

The anthropometer numbers read in the proper 

sequence and the movable arms slide freely without 

slipping; 

When mounted in the base, the instrument stands 

vertically without support; and 

The bottom end of the anthropometer is perfectly 

flush with the undersurface of the metal stand. (Do 

not handle anthropometers by the upper ends alone 

as this tends to wrench them from their bases.) 

I NOTE: A list of references follows the text. 

Measuring and recording 

The examiner takes each measurement and says it to 

the recorder. The recorder repeats the number, records it 

in the proper space, and says the name of the next measurement. The examiner should keep the measuring instrument 

set until the recorder repeats the number. If the anthropometer becomes unset in any way before the measurement is 

read back, the measurement should be made again. On 

standing measurements the recorder will ensure that the 

subject stands erect. For the standing height measurement 

the recorder should check the height photo to be sure of the 

accuracy of the technician’s reading. 

A recorder is important because he helps ensure the 

accurate recording of the measurement while also helping 

the examiner position the examinee correctly. The recorder 

also assists the examiner by seeing that the steel tape is 

horizontal with proper tension when girths are measured. 

The recorder, having had the same training as the examiner, should recognize an error in measurement or in reading 

from the wrong scale. (The anthropometer has two scalesascending and descending.) When he does see an error he 

should call it to the examiner’s attention and have the 

mistake corrected. 

All measurements are to be taken to the nearest tenth 

of a centimeter, except skinfolds which are to be taken to 

the nearest half of a millimeter. If the digit to the right of 

the last digit to be recorded appears to be exactly 5, the last 

digit to be recorded should be raised one unit if it is odd or 

stay unchanged if it is even. If a skinfold is too tight to be 

measured, write “too tight” in the recording space for that 

measurement (but, do try to get the subject to relax for the 

measurement). 

The original examiner and recorder will complete an 

examination once it is started. 

The measurements taken consist of various heights, 

breadths, circumferences, and skinfolds. All are to be taken 

on the right side of the body if possible. When any of the 

measurements cannot be taken on the right side because of 

casts, amputations, or any other reasons, these particular 

measurements should be made on the left side and the 

reasons noted on the recording page. 

When the examinee’s sample number ends in “3” or 

“6,” four of the measurements are to be taken on the left 

side as well as the right side unless there is some reason it is 

impossible to take them on the left side. In this instance, 

69 
again, the reason not taken should be noted on the body 

measurement page. 

Procedure for measuring examinees 8 

years and over 

Record on the control record the examiner number 

and the time the procedure begins. Record on the body 

measurement form the examiner and recorder numbers. 

Have the examinee stand with his feet together in the 

standard erect position for the following five measurements. 

1. Bitrochmteric bpeudth-With the top section of the 

anthropometer measure to the nearest 0.1 cm the 

maximum breadth of the body at the level of the 

greater femoral trochanters. Compress the soft tissue 

over the trochanters as much as possible by applying 

pressure on the caliper arms near where they touch the 

body (not where the arms are attached to the anthropometer). Take this measurement over the examinee’s 

gown. 

2. Elbow breadth-Have the examinee extend his right 

arm forward until it is perpendicular to his body. Bend 

the arm so the angle at the elbow forms 90’ with the 

fingers pointing up and the dorsal part of the wrist 

toward the examiner. With the sliding calipers along 

the axis of the upper arm, measure to the nearest 

0.1 cm the greatest breadth across the elbow joint. This 

is a bone to bone measurement across the epicondyles 

of the humerus and is usually taken at an oblique angle 

because the inner condyle is lower than the outer 

condyle. Be careful that the calipers do not slide off the 

epicondyle. 

3. Mid-upper CJ~ circumference-With the examinee’s 

right arm flexed 90' at the elbow, use the fiberglass 

tape to measure to the nearest 0.1 cm the distance from 

the outer edge of the acromial process to the olecranon 

process of the ulna. Mark the outer edge of the 

acromial process first, then place the tape on the mark 

and locate the midpoint between the acromial and 

olecranon processes. Mark this midpoint carefully. This 

is the level at which both the arm girth and triceps 

skinfold are measured. 

4. Triceps skinfold-Have the examinee relax his shoulder 

and let his arm hang freely at his side. Mark a point on 

the right mid-triceps in the same plane as the midhumeral point used for the upper arm girth and perpendicular to the olecranon process of the ulna. Grasp 

the skin and subcutaneous tissue firmly with thumb and 

forefinger approximately 1 cm above this level and 

draw directly back from the body making sure that no 

muscle tissue is included in the fold. The crest of the 

fold should be parallel to the long axis of the arm. 

Apply the calipers at the level of the point marked 

above and measure the fold to the nearest % mm 

without releasing the fingers. Take a second’measurement; if the two disagree, continue taking measurements until you get two that agree to within 1 mm. 

70 

- 1 

5 . 

G . 

7 . 

8 . 

Subscapular skinfold-Have the examinee relax his 

shoulders and arms. Palpate the inferior angle of the 

scapula. Grasp a fold of skin and subcutaneous tissue 

directly above the angle firmly with the thumb and 

forefinger and draw straight back from the body making sure that no muscle tissue is included in the fold. 

The fold should parallel natural cleavage lines of the 

skin which are often lines about 45’ from the horizontal 

extending medially upward. Apply the calipers about 1 

cm below the thumb and forefinger and measure the 

fold to the nearest % mm without releasing the fingers. 

Take a second measurement; if the two disagree, continue taking measurements until two agree to within 1 

mm. 

Sitting height-Have the examinee sit as far back on the 

measuring table as he can so that the backs of his knee 

joints (popliteal fossae) are at the front edge of the 

table. Have him sit erectly with his eyes straight ahead 

and the infraorbital meatal line parallel to the table top 

(i.e., eyes in horizontal plane looking straight ahead). 

Check with the recorder on the examinee’s position 

before making the measurement. Then bring the caliper arm down firmly against the midline of the examinee’s head. (Note: you might have to compress some 

hairstyles.) Take the measurement to the nearest 

0.1 cm with your eyes at the same level as the caliper 

arm. Do not make the reading at an angle. Shorter 

technicians should use the stool available in the measuring room as an aid. 

Handedness-Ask the examinee whether he is righthanded or left-handed and record his answer by checking the appropriate box. 

Weighta. Examinees who weigh 250 pounds or less: 

(1) Ask the examinee to stand still on the scale (in 

slippers). 

(2) Wait until the scale pointer stops moving. 

(3) Insert the bottom of the body-measurement 

page on the case record in the slot at the front 

of the scale’s printer. 

(4) Depress the bar on the front of the printer to 

record the weight on the record to the nearest 

quarter of a pound. 

(5) Check to be sure that the recorded weight is 

legible. 

(6) Record weight on the body measurement form 

in the space provided (Item 10) near the bottom of the form. Always record the weight in 

five digits, fill in the blank spaces with zeroes 

as appropriate, e.g., 98.5 should be entered as 

098.50. 

b. Examinees who weigh more than 250 pounds: 

Since the scale printer will only print ’ to 250 

pounds, the following procedure must be 

followed if an examinee weighs more than 250 

pounds: 

(1) If the examinee weighs more than 250 pounds, 

but no more than 350 pounds: 
(a) Move the bottom weight on the notched 

bar on the front of the scale to 100 pounds 

(far right); 

(b) Weigh the examinee and stamp his case 

record just as though he weighed less than 

250 pounds; 

(c) Add 100 pounds to the stamped weight 

total on the body measurement page; and 

then 

(d) Record the total weight (stamped weight 

plus 100 pounds) in the proper space on 

the body measurement page. 

(2) If the examinee weighs more than 350 pounds, 

but no more than 400 pounds: 

(a) Move the bottom weight on the notched 

bar to 100 pounds; 

(b) Move the top weight on the numbered bar 

to 50 pounds (far right); 

(c) Weigh the examinee and stamp his case 

record just as though he weighed less than 

250 pounds; 

(d) Add 150 pounds to the stamped weight 

total on the body measurement page; and 

then 

, (e) Record the total weight (stamped weight 

plus 150 pounds) in the proper space on 

the body measurement page. 

(3) If the examinee weighs more than 400 pounds 

ask him to estimate his weight. 

9. Heighta. Have the examinee stand erect with his back and 

heels against the upright bar of the height scale, 

(“Stand up tall” or “Stand up straight”) with feet 

together and head in the Frankfort Horizontal 

Plane (“Look straight ahead”). Grasp the examinee under the mastoid processes and lift him 

gently upward. 

b. Bring the horizontal bar down snugly to the examinee’s head. 

c. Stick one of the sample number labels next to the 

tape on the upright bar so the number label can be 

read when the height scale is photographed. 

d. Photograph the height measurement and ask the 

examinee to step aside. 

e. Process the film and place the sample number 

label from the height scale on the photo. Do not 

cover up the scale or the photographed sample 

number. 

f. Record the standing height on the body measurement form as read from the photograph in the 

space provided (Item 11). This should be recorded 

in four digits to the nearest mm (0.1 of cm) from 

the metric scale. If there are fewer than four digits, 

fill in the blank spaces with zeroes as appropriate, 

e.g., 99.0 should be 099.0. When the measurement 

is exactly at the half-way point between 2 mm 

round up if the preceding whole number is odd and 

round down if even. 

Procedure for measuring children under 8 

years old 

1. Bitrochanteric breadth-Use the same procedure as 

that for older examinees. 

2. Elbow breadth-With child standing or sitting, use the 

same procedure as that for older examinees. 

3. Mid-upper arm circumference-The arm must be fully 

extended and as relaxed as possible. Otherwise, use the 

same procedure as that for older examinees. 

4. Chest circumference 

a. 2 years old and over, standing-Using the steel 

tape, measure to the nearest 0.1 cm the chest 

circumference at the level of the nipple line at 

midrespiration, with the examinee breathing normally and with his arms relaxed at the sides. The 

tape should pass around the chest so that it is at 

right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body. 

b. 3 years old and under, supine-Measure the child 

lying supine on the infant measuring board. Measure the circumference with a steel tape at nipple 

level, the tape being placed at right angles to the 

longitudinal axis of the body. The measurement is 

taken to the nearest 0.1 cm at normal midrespiration. 

5. Head circumference -The child can be either sitting or 

standing. Steady the child’s head and measure its circumference to the nearest 0.1 cm by placing the steel 

tape firmly around the frontal bones (forehead) just 

above but not including the supra-orbital ridges, passing it around the head just above the ears on each side, 

and laying it over the maximum occipital prominence at 

the back of the head. The tape should be pulled firmly 

to compress the hair (and underlying soft tissues). 

6. Triceps skinfold-With the child either standing or 

sitting (preferably standing) use the same procedure as 

that for older examinees. 

7. Subscapular skinfold-With the child either standing or 

sitting (preferably standing) use the same procedure as 

that for older examinees. 

8. Sitting height (2 years old and over)-Have the child sit 

erectly on the measuring table with his eyes directed 

straight ahead (the eyes should be in a horizontal plane 

looking straight ahead). The child should sit as far back 

on the table as he can so that the backs of his knee 

joints (popliteal fossae) are in contact with the front 

edge of the table. Check with the recorder on the child’s 

position before making the measurement. Younger children need to be encouraged to sit straight and you 

might have to give support to a younger child, i.e., 

straighten out his back by placing one hand (right) over 

the upper part of the chest and the other hand (left) 

over the lumbar area, and pushing gently. After checking the child’s position with the recorder, bring the 

caliper arm firmly against the midline of the examinee’s 

head. Note: you might have to compress some hairstyles. Take the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm 

with your eyes at the same level as the caliper arm. 

71 
9. Crown-rump length (children 3 years old and under)- 

Measure on the infant measuring board with the child 

lying on his back with his knees bent to a right angle. 

One technician holds the child’s head in the Frankfort 

plane (i.e., eyes straight ahead, in this case straight 

upward so that the plane they form is parallel to the 

movable foot board) and applies gentle traction to 

bring the head into contact with the fixed head board. 

The second technician supports the child’s legs under 

the flexed knees and brings the movable foot board to 

rest against the child’s buttocks with firm pressure. 

10. Weight-Use the same procedure as that for older 

examinees. 

11. Standing height (2 yeaxs old and over)-Use the same 

procedure as that for older examinees. 

12. Recumbent length (children 3 yeaxs old and under)- 

Measure on the infant measuring board with the child 

lying supine. One technician holds the child’s head in 

the Frankfort plane and applies gentle traction to bring 

the head into contact with the fixed head board. The 

second technician holds the child’s legs roughly midway 

between the ankles and knees, with the toes pointing 

directly upward. Then, while applying downward pressure to the legs (to prevent the knees from flexing), the 

technician brings the movable foot board to rest firmly 

against the child’s heels. You may need extra help 

(third person) for restless infants under 2 years to 

make measurements as quickly as possible and maintain accuracy. 

Field checks 

1. Calipers- Calipers must be checked before each stand 

and once a week during the stand against a metric 

tape. The skinfold caliper should be checked daily 

before use. To do this place the standards between 

the caliper arms and see that the reading on the scale 

corresponds to the length of the standard. If the 

calipers are not right, adjust them by pressing firmly 

on the arms. If they are 1 mm or more out of 

calibration, use the other available calipers and return 

the one out of calibration to headquarters. 

2. Heighta. At the beginning and end of each stand, check to 

be sure that: 

(1) The upright bar and tape measure have not 

been changed or damaged. Check the accuracy 

of the tape with the sitting height anthropometer. Set the sitting height anthropometer at 

about the middle of the height scale base. Turn 

the movable anthropometer’s caliper arm upside down. Take the picture of the height 

measurement. Read the anthropometer measurement the same way as for sitting height 

and record the reading on the back of the 

photograph. Send the photograph to the Chief, 

Quality Control Section, headquarters. The 

photograph should include the stand number 

and location, date, number of the person who 

checked the scale, anthropometer reading, and 

whether it was the beginning or end of the 

stand. If the measurement does not agree with 

the sitting height anthropometer, adjust the 

sighting window until the measurement does 

agree with the sitting height anthropometer 

setting. Take a picture after the adjustment 

and send the photograph to headquarters. 

(2) The horizontal bar is firmly attached to the 

upright section that slides on the upright bar. 

(3) The camera and light are working to produce 

optimum photos. Any necessary repairs and 

adjustments should be made as soon as possible. This equipment is the only means we have 

for measuring height. 

b. Check daily that the standing height measurer 

operates smoothly. 

3. Weight-At the beginning of each stand before the I 

examinations begin and again at the end of the stand, 

the scale should be calibrated at zero and at intervals of 

25 pounds all the way up to 250 pounds. If the scale is 

out of calibration by a constant amount at all calibration weights, correct the error with the adjustment 

knob on the left side of the scale. If the trailer is not 

level, the scale will have to be zeroed. If adjusted to 

lower than 0.00 it will read E.EE; but when adjusted 

correctly it will read 0.00. After zeroing the scale 

properly, stamp zero on any ordinary sheet of 8x10% 

paper. Then weigh the calibration weights in increments of 25 pounds, starting with 25 pounds and going 

up to 250 pounds and stamping each weight on the 

paper. Altogether, 11 recordings should be made on 

the paper. The paper with the recorded weights should 

also include the stand number and location, date, the 

number of the person doing the check procedure, and 

whether it was the beginning or end of the stand. Mail 

the recording immediately to the Chief; Quality Control Section, headquarters. 

If the scale is out of calibration by % pound or more at 

three stations, have it repaired. 

The ribbon for printing the weight will need occasional 

replacement (approximately every 6 months). When 

the printing starts getting dim, call a Toledo Scales 

dealer for replacement ribbon. 

At the end of each stand, turn the scale lock to a 

vertical position for transit. The tech responsible for 

the body measurement station should weigh himself 

daily to roughly check the accuracy of the weight scales. 

If there is any reason to believe the scales are not 

accurate, a complete recalibration should be done. The 

recording of the calibration should be sent to headquarters. 

4. Anthropometers- Check daily to see that the sitting 

height anthropometer is vertical on the table top and 

that the caliper arm is perpendicular to the bar and not 

bent. See that the arms of the bitrochanteric breadth 

72 
anthropometer are perpendicular to the bar and not 

bent. 

5. Log book-In a book that stays with the trailers write in 

the following headings: 

Date, Technician Number, Measuring Drive Number 

Omm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 

Counter Reading, and Tape Measure Reading. 

Record daily in the log book the required identifying 

information under the appropriate headings. Then 

record the skinfold caliper calibration reading for each 

standard. Finally, move the foot board of the baby 

board as close as possible to the head board; record in 

the book the counter reading. Measure with tape measure the distance between head and foot boards, and 

record that reading. 

6. CleaGng of equipment-At the beginning of each 

stand the anthropometer, calipers, and tape measure 

should be cleaned with vinegar. 

73 


Copyright information 

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may 

be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to Source, 

however, is appreciated. 

Suggested citation 

National Center for Health Statistics, M. F. Najjar and M. Rowland: 

Anthropometric Reference Data and Prevalence of Overweight, United 

States, 1976-80. vital and Health Statistics. Series 1 1, No. 238. 

DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 87-1688. Public Health Service. Washington. 

U.S. Government Printing Office, Oct. 1987. 

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data 

Najjar, Matthew F. 

Anthropometric reference data and prevalence of 

ovenrveight, United States, 1976-80. 

(Series 1 1, Data from the National Health Survey ; 

no. 238) (DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 87-l 688. 

By Matthew F. Najjar and Michael Rowland. 

Includes bibliographies. 

Supt. of Dots. no.: HE20.6209:1 l/238 

1. Obesity-United States-Statistics. 2. Anthropometry-United States-Statistics. 3. Health sutveysUnited States. I. Rowland, Michael 

Il. National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.) 

Ill. Series: Vital and health statistics. Series 11, 

Data from the National Health Survey ; no. 238. 

IV. Title. V. Series: DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 

87-l 688. [DNLM: 1. Anthropometry-United Statesstatistics. 2. Obesity-occurrence-United States. 

W2 A N148vk no. 2381 

RA407.3.A347 no. 238 312l.0973 s 87-600186 

[ RA645.0231 [616.3’98’0072] 

ISBN o-8406-0376-2 
Vital and Health Statistics 

series descriptions 

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