Corpulence index
The Corpulence Index (CI) or Ponderal Index (PI) is a measure of leanness (corpulence) of a person[1] calculated as a relationship between mass and height.[2] It was first proposed in 1921 as the "Corpulence measure" by Swiss physician Fritz Rohrer[3] and hence is also known as Rohrer's Index.[4] It is similar to the body mass index, but the mass is normalized with the third power of body height rather than the second power.[5]
- <math>\mathrm{CI} = \frac{\mathrm{mass}}{\mathrm{height}^3}</math>
with <math>\mathrm{mass}</math> in kilograms and <math>\mathrm{height}</math> in metres, giving a measure with the same dimensions as density. The corpulence index yields valid results even for very short and very tall persons.[6] Because of this property, it is most commonly used in pediatrics.[7][8] (For a baby, one can take crown-heel length for the height.[9]) The normal values for infants are about twice as high as for adults, which is the result of their relatively short legs. [citation needed]
It does not need to be adjusted for age after adolescence.[5] It has also been shown to have a lower false positive rate in athletes.[10]
The corpulence index is variously defined (the first definition should be preferred due to the use of SI-units kg and m) as follows:
Formula | Units for mass (body weight) |
Units for height (or length) |
Values considered normal or typical | |
---|---|---|---|---|
for a 12-month-old infant | beyond infancy | |||
<math>\text{CI}=\frac{\mathrm{mass}}{\mathrm{height}^3}</math>[8] | kilograms | metres | 24[7] | 12[5] |
<math>\text{CI}=1000\frac{\mathrm{mass}}{\mathrm{height}^3}</math>[7] | grams | centimetres | (same values as above) | |
<math>\text{CI}=\frac{\mathrm{height}}{\sqrt[3]{\mathrm{mass}}}</math>[1][11] | pounds | inches | 12.49 to 13.92 |
Significance[edit | edit source]
- It plays a role in assessing whether the intrauterine growth restriction of a child is symmetrical or asymmetrical.[12]
- CI has been shown to have higher sensitivity, specificity, as well as both positive and negative predictive values than body mass index.[5]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia, Audrey H. Ensminger, Marion Eugene Ensminger. p. 1645
- ↑ EXSS 323: LAB 1 - BIOMECHANICS TOOLS: Computers, Algebra and Trig Oregon State University
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-ponderal-index.htm
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3
- ↑ Lawrence F. Ditmier: New Developments in Obesity Research. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, New York 2006, ISBN 1-60021-296-4 [page needed]
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 ACC/SCN NUTRITION POLICY PAPER No. 19 - Glossary Archived 2007-08-20 at the Wayback Machine by Lindsay H. Allen and Stuart R. Gillespie
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ https://captaincalculator.com/health/weight/ponderal-index-calculator/
- ↑
External links[edit | edit source]
- Online Ponderal Index Calculator, which uses the first definition.
- Ponderal Index Calculator, which uses metric values. (German site)
- Android App for Corpulence Index
- Apple app for Corpulence Index
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD