Long-bone measurement for height estimation in Thai adult subjects.

Four hundred medical inpatients admitted to Chulalongkorn University Hospital between February 1994 and January 1995 were recruited in a study which aimed to compare a number of long-bone measurements, in both the erect and supine position, with height and to reveal clinical appropriateness of long-bone measurements for predicting height and BMI in the Thai adult population. Armspan in both supine and erect positions, halfspan in both supine and erect position, and knee-to-floor height correlated best with height. The armspan and halfspan were shown to be reliable as a direct estimate for height in Thai adult subjects. The BMIs calculated from the armspan or 2 x halfspan differed slightly from the BMI of height and were appropriate for nutritional assessment in clinical practice. For frail patients whose armspan and halfspan was not able to be measured, the knee-to-floor height is an alternative long-bone measurement for height prediction.