PONDERAL INDEX AND HEIGHT

The Ponderal Index is generally treated, on theoretical grounds, as if it were independent of height. Associations between values of the index and height have been reported at least twice, however, and, substantiating these reports, highly significant, nearly linear, positive regressions of values of the index on height are now found among Princeton freshmen. Routinely collected data on 801 entering students were separated into three age groups: less than 18, 18 and more than 18 years. The correlations between Ponderal Index and height were 0.32, 0.32 and 0.45 in these age groups respectively. The findings suggest that, for studies which involve gauging linearity of physique, the parameters describing the relationship between Ponderal Index and height be estimated on the basis of appropriate data if the Index is to be employed, or that some technique more suited to the purpose than the Ponderal Index be devised. Copyright © 1969 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company