TY  - JOUR
AU  - Steckel,Richard H.
TI  - Percentiles of Modern Height Standards for Use in Historical Research
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Historical Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 75
PY  - 1995
Y2  - October 1995
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/h0075
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/h0075.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
Richard H. Steckel
Department of Economics
Ohio State University
410 Arps Hall, 1945 North High Street
Columbus, OH  43210-1172
Tel: 614/292-5008
Fax: 614/292-3906
E-Mail: steckel.1@osu.edu
AB  - Percentiles of modern height standards are useful in historical research because children differ systematically in height by age, and differences in growth potential exist by gender and might exist across some ethnic groups.  Modern height standards are needed to make relative comparisons of nutritional status in these circumstances. The standards are also used to assess progress or deprivation against a level that we know is attainable under good environmental circumstances.  Historical researchers in need of modern height standards encounter several problems, including the choice of standards, manipulation of those standards to meet the requirements of historical data, and calculation of percentiles.  Following a discussion of criteria used in selecting standards, which lead to the choice of NCHS heights as a reference, the paper gives percentiles calculated in line with the requirements of historical data.  Results are given in centimeters and inches and by age at last birthday and age at nearest birthday.
ER  -