MEASURING THE PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS OF U.S. INFANTS AND CHILDERN

In March 1975, a multidisciplinary research team at The University of Michigan completed a three-year study designed to obtain 41 different anthropometric measurements on 4,000 infants and children representative of the U.S. population. The children ranged in age from two weeks to 13 years. The principal purpose of the study was to obtain data essential for developing improved standards for the safe design of toys, furniture, and other products used for or by infants and children. Two field teams using specially modified measuring devices linked to a portable NOVA 1220 minicomputer measured subjects at 76 locations in eight states in accordance with a sampling plan based upon U.S. Census and HEW population data. The 41 dimensions measured consisted of five general body measures; five body segment lengths; eleven hand, foot, and finger measurements; five body segment breadths; four body segment depths; nine segment circumferences; and standing and sitting center of gravity. The study results for each measurement present the sample size, the mean, the standard deviation, and the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile numbers for 22 age intervals.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, Maryland.
• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Safety Research Institute

  Huron Parkway and Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109
• Authors:
  • Snyder, R G
  • Spencer, M L
  • Owings, C L
  • Schneider, L W
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-22
• Serial:
  • HIT Lab Reports
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adolescents; Age; Anthropometry; Center of gravity; Dimensional analysis; Infants; Multidisciplinary teams; Physical properties; Safety; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Dimensional measurement; Minors
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00132009
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 5 1976 12:00AM