SUMMARY
Using knee height to correct stature of elderly Hispanics
Loss of stature in certain elderly subjects can be attributed to diseases such as osteoporosis, as well as to age and generational effects. In addition, many elders cannot stand straight for accurate measurement. For these cases, total height can be estimated with regression equations based on knee height. The aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the applicability of regression equations based on knee height for estimation of stature and, secondly, to document the differences between measured and estimated height in a group of elderly Hispanics with postural problems (n= 166) comparison with a group of elderly Hispanic without postural problems (n=270). Using both, estimated and measured height, we al calculated the body mass index (BMI) of both groups of el de Statistical analyses were done with paired t-tests, within sex and study group. Within the group with postural problems, estimated height was higher than the measured height for both men (p=0.001) and women (p=0.001). There were no significant differences between measured and estimated height in the group without postural problems. Furthermore, in the group with postural problems, BM values calculated with estimated height were lower than those estimated with the measured height, and these differences were also significant for both men (p=0.00l)and women (p=0.001l). With the aging of the Latin American population, there is a need for more nutrition and health research among elders. In order to do this we need to develop and use methods and criteria appropriate for ea population.

Key words: Elderly, anthropometry, stature, knee height, body mass index, postura1 problems.



Recibido: 18/02/1999
Aceptado: 13/10/1999

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PRIVACIDAD | ACCESIBILIDAD ALAN-VE ISSN 0004-0622 - Depósito Legal: pp 199602DF83 Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición Producción editorial en Venezuela: Capítulo Venezolano - RIF: J-30843129-0 Urbanización Santa María, primera transversal, No. 417-214, Planta Alta Tele-Fax: (+58-212) 283.8618 E-mail info@alanrevista.org Código Postal: 1070 Caracas - Venezuela