528 



HEIGHT AND WEIGHT IN RELATION TO BUILD 



decrease in index at about the sixteenth year. After the age of 17 in most boys 

 growth in weight is relatively more rapid than growth in height, and after 18 (ex- 

 cept in those retarded in development) growth in stature is relatively slight, so that 

 the height-weight growth-curve soon becomes horizontal. In table J a series of 

 empirical height -weight 



nrlipp i<5 tn'vPn for S110 CHART D.-W tight-fa- height cur** of male, 13. 15. 18. 20 and 50 yea,, of 



age; Medico-Actuarial curoe average male ; V. S. army standard and 



cessive age-periods from minimum curaa. 



18 to 50 years for indi- 

 viduals of 67.5 inches 

 height. Tall individuals 

 continue a low height- 

 weight index for a longer 

 period than short individ- 

 uals; short individuals in- 

 crease in height-weight 

 index much more rapidly 

 than those of average 

 build. 



Maturity. Ad oles - 

 cence passes gradually into 

 maturity. Growth in 

 stature in most individ- 

 uals is nearly completed 

 before the age of 20, 

 although in some individ- 

 uals it is continued for 

 several years beyond this 

 age. We may consider 

 the period of maturity to 

 begin when full stature 

 is reached. The male 

 height-weight growth 

 curve for this period and 

 weight-for-height curves 

 for ages 13, 15, 18, 20-24, 

 and 50+ years are shown 

 in chart D. It is to be 

 noted that with increasing 

 age the shorter individuals 

 become relatively much 

 heavier than those of average build. The curve labeled "medico-actuarial," 

 shown by a dotted line is based on average weight for a given stature irrespective 

 of the age of the insured. The statistical tables of the medico-actuarial mortality 

 investigation (1912) were utilized for plotting this curve, as well as those for weight- 



Weight in pounds at a given staiure and at an index of 



