[Body weight--a quantity integrated with the development of multidirectional signs characterizing the human body].

To assess the optimal development of the human body at different stages of postnatal ontogenesis, the body mass-volume index is proposed. This index, in contrast to body mass-height index, may be used in the studies aimed at the evaluation of human somatotypes. The quantitative characteristics of body mass variability obtained for the different age groups (from neonates to long-livers) provide general evidence that the body mass as a taxonomic species characteristic is a constant value that, however, possesses age, sex and individual differences.