Project 1F: AnthroKids Data II

Overview

The data set consists of anthropomorphic data collected on 3,900 children in 1977 for use in consumer product safety studies.

Details

These data are a subset of a dataset that was the result of a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) effort to collect anthropomorphic data on children in the mid-seventies. A total of 87 traditional and functional body measurements were taken on a sample of 4127 infants, children and youths representing the U.S. population aged 2 weeks through 18 years. Measurements were taken throughout the United States by two teams of anthropometrists using an automated anthropometric data acquisition system. Standard anthropometers, calipers, and tape devices were modified to read electronicalfy and input dimensional data directly to a mini-computer for data processing and storage. The goal in collecting such data was to provide guidance in consumer product safety for the design of items that would be utilized by children.

More information can be found here: http://stat.pugetsound.edu/hoard/datasetDetails.aspx?id=10

Data Description

Variable	Units	Description
id	(number)	numerical id assigned to each sampled child
mass	kilograms	mass of child
height	centimeters	height of child
waist	centimeters	waist circumference of child
foot	centimeters	child’s foot length
sittingHeight	millimeters	sitting height of child
upperLegLength	millimeters	length of child’s upper leg
kneeHeight	millimeters	height of child’s knee
forearmLength	millimeters	length of child’s forearm
age	years	age of child
gender	F (female) or M (male)	gender of child
handedness	both, left, or right	handedness of child
birthOrder	(number)	child’s numerical ranking by age among siblings (1 being first)

anthro_data = read.table("data/anthrokids.csv", header = TRUE, sep = ",")
head(anthro_data)

Data Files

• anthrokids.csv

Objectives

We will consider modeling the foot length and sitting height of children at ages 6 and 18. These data are found in columns 5 and 6 of the data set. The goal is to find a distribution that fits these data well.

• Provide numerical and graphical summaries of the foot length and sitting height of children at ages 6 and 18. Consider males and females both together and separately.
  
• Consider fitting some of the known distributions you’ve discussed in class, both this semester and last semester, to these variables. For each distribution you consider, explain how you are estimating the relevant parameters (e.g., are you using the MLEs? MOMs? etc.). Consider at least two different distributions for each of the variables.
• Provide some assessment of fit of the distribution to the data. For example, q-q plots are useful for this purpose.
• Make some conclusions about modeling these variables.