The Quacks of John Hunter's Time

The basic parameters underlying evaluation of body weight have been stature and weight; however, body weight is too gross a reference base for physiologic parameters or definitive clinical evaluation. Except in the grossly obese or very lean subjects, it is impossible to assess the amount of body fat from scale weight alone.

Although anthropometric measurements of both circumferences and diameters have long been utilized in quantitatively assessing body build, they have not been too meaningful. Now, a revitalized anthropometric procedure with a measuring tape and an anthropometer is available for this purpose. The author describes the technic involved and its interpretation in male and female subjects.