Ponderal index

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The ponderal index is measure of leanness of a person[1] calculated as a relationship between height and mass.[2]

It is most commonly used in pediatrics.[3]


The ponderal index is variously defined as follows:

Formula Units for mass
(body weight)
Units for height
(or length)
Values corresponding to "normal"
BMI in a 180cm tall person
PI=1000*(\sqrt[3]{mass}/height)[2] kilograms centimetres 21.75 to 24.0[4]
PI=100*(\sqrt[3]{mass}/height)[5] kilograms centimetres 2.175 to 2.4
PI=height/\sqrt[3]{mass}[1] pounds inches 13.92 to 12.49
PI=mass/\sqrt[3]{height}[3] kilograms metres 10.3 to 13.9


[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia, Audrey H. Ensminger, Marion Eugene Ensminger. p. 1645
  2. ^ a b EXSS 323: LAB 1 - BIOMECHANICS TOOLS: Computers, Algebra and Trig Oregon State University
  3. ^ a b ACC/SCN NUTRITION POLICY PAPER No. 19 - Glossary by Lindsay H. Allen and Stuart R. Gillespie
  4. ^ The source quoted (Oregon State University) states that typical healthy PI values range between 20 and 25.
  5. ^ Medical Dictionary University of Newcastle upon Tyne

[edit] See also

Body Mass Index