Analysis of Limb segment length to the total body height among the undergraduate students in a medical college of Nepal

Abstract

Background: Total body height is important for calculating body mass index, drug dosages calculations and other patient care issues. Total height estimation from different body measurements are surrogate measures of stature which is very useful when only fragmentary remains of a human body are found.
 Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to develop the relationship of total body height with arm span, leg length and trunk length in Nepalese Medical students.
 Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 441 medical students in the Department of Anatomy, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal from January to June 2019 after taking ethical approval. Body height, arm span, leg length and trunk length were measured and regression and correlation analysis between them were done.
 Results: The mean standing height, arm span, trunk length and leg length were 161.85±9.14, 165.37±10.5, 84.80±4.23, 77.06±6.5 cm respectively. Correlation coefficient of standing height with arm span, trunk length and leg length were 0.87, 0.76 and 0.90 respectively. Regression coefficient for standing height and trunk length, standing height and arm span and standing height and leg length were 1.65, 0.76 and 1.27 respectively. Regression equations for standing height were determined.
 Conclusions: Total body height shows strong correlation with arm span, trunk length and leg length.