The human body has been increasing in size in many world-wide populations over at least the past century, according to documented reports. Such increases clearly have implications for the design of automotive equipment. This “secular increase” involves the body as a whole, applies to both men and women, and seems to affect the short-statured more than the tall. Summary estimates for this increase in stature have averaged around 1.0 cm per decade although there may be considerable variability between studies. The most likely explanations for this increase involve improved environmental conditions, specifically better nutrition, health care, and sanitation. Some groups currently show no secular increase in size. These include those who a) live in environments with less than adequate diets and medical care, or b) have already achieved their maximum body size potential as a result of living in optimal environments for growth. The secular increase in size is likely coming to an end. As more people live under more favored environmental conditions which will enable them to achieve maximum growth, the rate of increase will decline. Future changes, at least in technologically developed regions, can be projected at a continually decreasing rate from the former high of about one centimeter per decade.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Are People Still Getting Bigger-Who, Where, and How Much?


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    1978 Automotive Engineering Congress and Exposition ; 1978



    Publication date :

    1978-02-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Are People Still Getting Bigger - Who, Where and How Much ?

    Stoudt,H.W. / Michigan State Univ.,Dep.of Community Med.,US | Automotive engineering | 1978


    A still bigger bentley

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1930


    Why narrowbodies keep getting bigger

    Norris, Guy | Online Contents | 2014