An examination of the definition ‘final height’ for practical use

Abstract

Determining which of various 'final height' definitions is most applicable to the data sets is a useful preceding step for studies concerning adult stature prediction. This paper presents an examination of three definitions and their validity when practically applied to two different longitudinal data sets. Two data series examined in this study are T-data (31 boys and 35 girls born between 1967 and 1978) and H-data (113 girls born between 1956 and 1966). Three definitions of final height applied to the data are: (1) Final stature at 18 years of age (Fht (18)); (2) Stature after a year with an annual increment less than 0.5 cm (Fht (0.5)); and (3) The highest measurement (Fht (hst)). The results of this study suggest the greatest height of an individual measurement (Fht (hst)) is the most effective definition of 'final stature' for practical use. This definition can be applied to various types of data, whether measurements are obtained from individuals during school periods, or whether measurements are obtained from individuals until the cessation of growth.