Anthropometry

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Anthropometry

Anthropometry (pronounced an-thro-po-met-ry, from Greek anthropos, "man" and metron, "measure") refers to the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body. It is primarily used in physical anthropology, human biology, and medicine.

History

The concept of anthropometry was first developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician, astronomer, and statistician. He was one of the first to use anthropometric data to study the human body and its growth patterns.

Methods

Anthropometry involves the systematic measurement of the physical properties of the human body, primarily dimensional descriptors of body size and shape. Common measurements in anthropometry include height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body circumferences (head, waist, hip), and skinfold thickness.

Applications

Anthropometry has a wide range of applications in various fields such as medicine, forensic science, ergonomics, and nutrition. In medicine, it is used to understand the growth and development of children, to assess nutritional status, and to identify and manage obesity and other health conditions. In forensic science, it is used to help identify individuals based on their physical characteristics. In ergonomics, it is used to design products and workspaces that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities. In nutrition, it is used to assess the nutritional status of individuals and populations.

Related Terms

  • Biometrics: The measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics.
  • Ergonomics: The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
  • Forensic Anthropology: The application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process.
  • Human Biology: An academic field of biology which focuses on humans; it is closely related to medicine, primate biology, and a number of other fields.

See Also

External links

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