Anthropometric Study of the Relationship Between Arm Span and Body Height Among Children Aged 6-12 Years of the Urhobo Ethnic Group in Abraka, Delta State.

ABSTRACT
Height, an essential and indispensable anthropometric parameter, is the most constant indicator for growth. Based on studies from several research, arm span is recognized as an alternative means of measuring standing height for the disabled, adaptive, or unable to stand upright. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the height and arm span of children aged 6 - 12 years of the Urhobo ethnic group in Abraka, Delta State. A total of 200 children (100 male and 100 female) randomly selected from Primary Schools in Abraka, Delta State participated in the study. The Participants standing height were measured with a stadiometer, and arm span was measured using a steel tape, recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm. The collected data was analayzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Results showed that the mean height for males was 138.55 ± 13.39 cm, females was 137.48 ± 14.41 cm and 138.01 ± 13.89 cm for the total population. Mean arm span was 142.02 ± 14.86 cm, 140.84 ± 15.36 cm and 141.43 ± 15.07 cm for males, females and the total population respectively, while independent t-test showed no statistically significant difference in the height and arm span between male and female (p>0.005). A strong positive correlation was observed between height and arm span (r = 0.973), which was statistically significant (p=0.000). A regression model was developed to predict height from the arm span; H = 11.38 + 0.90AS, coefficient of determination (R²) = 95% and SEE was 3.22. This study concludes that arm span is a reliable predictor of height and can be used as a proxy for height in disabled children of same age group (6-12 years).