The strengths and limitations of parental heights as a predictor of attained height

71Citations
Citations of this article
59Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Mid-parental heights are widely used to help assess an individual child's growth. However, the methods in use vary, and most make no allowance for extremes of parental height. This study aimed to examine the actual distribution of parental heights in a survey population and the relation with their children's heights. The heights of 419 representatively sampled children aged 8-9 years were compared with their reported mid-parental heights, all expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS). These confirmed previous predictions that 90% of the children's heights would fall within 1.5 SDS (approximately two centile spaces) of their mid-parental heights. However, where parents were unusually tall or short, their children were relatively less tall or short, respectively, and the mid-parental height was a poor predictor of attained height. A simple calculator for expected height centile is described that automatically adjusts for this regression to the mean. Of 13 children below the second centile for height, eight were within two centile spaces (90% range) of their mid-parental height SDS. However, when allowance was made for regression to the mean, only three of 13 were within the 90% range. Although midparental height provides a useful guide to expected height centile for children and parents of average stature, it can be misleading when used to assess short children.

References Powered by Scopus

Cross sectional stature and weight reference curves for the UK, 1990

1264Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Standards for children's height at ages 2-9 years allowing for height of parents

709Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Desire for the body normal: Body image and discrepancies between self reported and measured height and weight in a British population

86Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Consensus report on nutrition for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis

525Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

A practical approach to classifying and managing feeding difficulties

214Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Growth reference charts for use in the United Kingdom

150Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Wright, C. M., & Cheetham, T. D. (1999). The strengths and limitations of parental heights as a predictor of attained height. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 81(3), 257–260. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.81.3.257

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 18

56%

Professor / Associate Prof. 7

22%

Researcher 5

16%

Lecturer / Post doc 2

6%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 27

68%

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 5

13%

Nursing and Health Professions 4

10%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 4

10%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 2

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free