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.

Final Height and Associated Factors in Perinatally HIV-infected Asian Adolescents

“…Children with a known or documented history of endocrine diseases (e.g., thyroid disease, growth hormone deficiency) were excluded. FH was defined as height at 18 years of age (8). Height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) were calculated by using the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) child growth reference (10).…”

“…There are limited data on FH in HIV-infected children in the Asia-Pacific region. We report on FH, defined as height at 18 years of age (8), of PHIVA and predictors of lower FH z-score in a regional cohort.…”

Age at Achievement of Final Height in Greek Young Men

“…In this study we show that growth in the Greek young male population ceases at the age of 23 years. Although, most authors employ the age of 18 years as determining final height, 9 older ages have been used as well. Olivier et al, in males registered at military service determined adult stature to be attained at the age of 19.5 years, 10 whereas Gasser et al, 11 Taranger & Haag 12 regarded the age at final height to be the 20 years.…”

Geographic altitude, surnames, and height variation of Jujuy (Argentina) conscripts

“…Data corresponding to the first and fifth year of each decade of the period under consideration were taken from that source. Height measurement in centimeters was made at age 18, a widely accepted age in the literature to estimate the final height of both sexes (Kato et al, 1998).…”