Nonparametric Estimation of the Human Height Growth Curve

Abstract

As an example of an application of some of the methods discussed before, the analysis of the human height growth curve by nonparametric regression methods is considered. The data that are analysed were obtained in the Zurich Longitudinal Growth Study (1955–78) which was discussed already in 2.3. The nonparametric analysis of these data is published in Largo et al (1978) and Gasser et al (1984a,b; 1985a,b), and this chapter is based on the results of the latter four papers which are summarized and discussed. Of special interest for growth curves is the estimation of derivatives. Further, the comparison between parametric and nonparametric models, between smoothing splines and kernel estimators, the definition of longitudinal parameters and the phenomenon of growth spurts are discussed.