So what do you reckon is the best-fit exponent e in the equation wt = c*ht^e , based on these data? WFL
--no idea. And depends on your goal, are you trying to fit the population, or trying to fit the min-mortality weights (which are quite different)? I think it is much more clear what e should be -- namely e = 2.5 to 2.8 -- if we are fitting the growth curves for children ages 2-19. I do not understand why that e happens, but it does. For adults, damned if I know what is going on. Anyhow here are the formulas: children both genders, ages 2-19, fitting to median weight in population for each height: WeightInPounds = 0.002384649 * MedianHeightInInches^2.593828 (Korevaar) Men ages 25-59, my best fit to mortality-minning weights: WeightInPounds = 99.9 + 8.63*10^(-7) * HeightInches^4.23 Women ages 25-59, my best fit to mortality-minning weights: WeightInPounds = 50.8 + 0.00459 * HeightInches^2.347