Methods in Human Growth Research

In order to gain an understanding of the dynamics of human individual and average growth patterns it is essential that the right methods are selected. There are a variety of methods available to analyse individual growth patterns, to estimate variation in different growth measures in populations and to relate genetic and environmental factors to individual and average growth. This volume provides an overview of modern techniques for the assessment and collection of growth data and methods of analysis for individual and population growth data. The book contains the basic mathematical and statistical tools required to understand the concepts of the methods under discussion and worked examples of analyses, but it is neither a mathematical treatise, nor a recipe book for growth data analysis. Aimed at junior and senior researchers involved in the analysis of human growth data, this book will be an essential reference for anthropologists, auxologists and paediatricians.
• First book on the field of methods in human growth research, rather than on growth per se
• Written for both junior and senior researchers who need to know which is the most appropriate method for the specific situation in hand
• Gives just enough mathematical formulation and worked examples to understand the concepts, but emphasizes the possibilities, limitations and applicability of the methods