Estimation of stature from hand length and hand breadth in undergraduate medical students: An anthropometric study

Abstract

BackgroundStature, a determinant that aids in personal identification, can be estimated using measurements of various body parts. This study measured the length and breadth of hands and the height of the participants, aiming to develop linear regression equations for stature estimation. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 195 medical students aged 18 to 24 were enrolled, and measurement of stature was done by stadiometer and hand length and breadth by vernier calliper, after an informed written consent was obtained. ResultsMean stature was higher in males (170.24{+/-}5.79 cm) as compared to females (159.01{+/-}7.261 cm). Mean length and breadth of both right and left hands were also found to be higher in males when compared with females. With a standard error of estimates of 5.083 cm and an R2 of 0.648, the multiple linear regression analysiss model summary concluded that R is .805, indicating a strong positive association between stature estimation and hand dimensions. ConclusionsHand length and hand breadth together may be a powerful predictor of stature, as indicated by the greater R value when compared to regression coefficients derived for other body parts. A variable entity, height is influenced by genetics and nutritional status. Future studies can be done taking these factors into consideration and also including a larger population size.