Prediction of anthropometric foot characteristics in children.
BACKGROUND
The establishment of growth reference values is needed in pediatric practice where pathologic conditions can have a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the pediatric foot. This study aims to use multiple regression to evaluate the effects of multiple predictor variables (height, age, body mass, and gender) on anthropometric characteristics of the peripubescent foot.


METHODS
Two hundred children aged 9 to 12 years were recruited, and three anthropometric measurements of the pediatric foot were recorded (foot length, forefoot width, and navicular height).


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis was conducted, and coefficients for gender, height, and body mass all had significant relationships for the prediction of forefoot width and foot length (P < or = .05, r > or = 0.7). The coefficients for gender and body mass were not significant for the prediction of navicular height (P > or = .05), whereas height was (P < or = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Normative growth reference values and prognostic regression equations are presented for the peripubescent foot.
Morrison
Stewart C
SC
School of Health and Bioscience, University of East London, Stratford Campus, London, England. s.c.morrison@uel.ac.uk
Durward
Brian R
BR
Watt
Gordon F
GF
Donaldson
Malcolm D C
MD
D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors