HEIGHT, WEIGHT, PERCENT BODY-FAT, AND INDEXES OF ADIPOSITY FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ENTERING THE UNITED-STATES-ARMY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (3) , 223-231
Abstract
To describe the height (H), weight (W) and percent body fat (%BF) of young men and women (ages 17-35 yr) entering the U.S. Army and to determine an index of adiposity that fit criteria described in the literature, H and W were measured with a digital scale and anthropometer, respectively. %BF was calculated from 4 skinfold thickness. Men and women were both separated into 4 age categories. Very little difference in H was found with increasing age. W and %BF increased progressively with age in the males but no increase in either parameter was seen within the 3 youngest age groups of women. For males, W/H2 was the most appropriate index of adiposity of those studied, having a correlation with %BF of 0.75 and a standard error of estimate of .+-. 3.4 %BF. W/H1.5 was the most appropriate index for females, having a correlation with %BF of 0.69 and a standard error of estimate of .+-. 3.2 %BF. These indices could be used to replace or supplement the current H-W charts used in the Army. A table for predicting %BF from these indices is provided.

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