Growth of sitting height, subischial leg length and weight in well-off northwestern Indian children

Abstract

This paper reports attained means and tempo unconditional 1-year velocities of sitting height, subischial leg length and weight of well-off northwestern Indians based on two time measurements taken by the same measurer. A 3-year difference is observed in reaching the peak sitting height velocity between girls (11 years) and boys (14 years) as in their peak height velocity. While in girls the peak subischial leg length velocity is reached a year earlier, at 10 years, than that of their peak sitting height velocity, in boys it is reached at the same time as in sitting height (14 years). Comparisons of the attained means with the British standards show that while sitting height is shorter throughout in the Indians, the subischial leg length is longer until 12 years in girls and 14 years in boys, after which it becomes equal to that of the British. This differential growth of the two segments comprising stature produces shorter adult height. Though the weight velocities are not dissimilar, the Indian children are lighter throughout. This body shape and size, with relatively longer legs, is a useful adaptation to the northwestern Indian climate.