Positive Secular Trend in Slovak Population Urges on Updates of Functional Dimensions of Furniture

Miloš Hitka, Róbert Sedmák, Pavel Joščák and Lenka Ližbetinová
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Róbert Sedmák: Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 96053 Zvolen, Slovakia
Pavel Joščák: Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 96053 Zvolen, Slovakia
Lenka Ližbetinová: Faculty of Business Strategy, The Institute of Technology and Economics in České Budějovice, Okružní 517/10, 370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: The presented study is focused on the evaluation of the changes in weight and height of the adult population in Slovakia to provide updated information on the secular growth trend. The main objective was to identify and quantify the pace of gradual changes in the dimensions of the Slovak adult population, which is key ergonomic information for multiple disciplines. The measurements of weights, heights and body mass indices of the current adult population of Slovakia ranging from 26 to 94 years of age that were obtained in period 1993–2017 were compared with a sample of students studying at four Slovak universities during the same years (aged 18 to 25). The increase of mean heights was app. 0.104–0.203 cm per one year (or app. 1–2 cm per decade) for males and app. 0.031–0.178 cm per one year (or app. 0.3–1.8 cm per decade) for females was statistically confirmed at different age classes covering the age structure of the whole adult population. The positive secular height trends were manifested in weight and BMI increases too. The changes in means and variation of distributions of selected variables also cause changes in quantile values. For example, the 95% quantiles of heights derived for the period 1993–2003 only cover 92–93% of the heights in the current population. This fact could have a major impact on proposals for optimal and safe arrangement of work, residential and non-residential space, including the furniture production.

Keywords: anthropometry; adults; growth; furniture; functional dimensions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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