Synopsis
Explore how body build varies from birth to adulthood and through families, with clear methods you can understand.
This foundational work defines what “build” means and how it changes across a lifetime. It explains why people are slender or fleshy, and how these traits relate to height, weight, and shape. You’ll see how researchers measure build using chest girth and stature, and how the same ideas apply to both children and adults. The book also surveys how heredity and environment may influence these traits through real family studies and careful analysis.
The text lays out a practical framework for studying build, including types of variation, how to chart ontogeny, and how to interpret differences within and between families. It blends observational insight with early genetic thinking to show how physical form can be examined scientifically—without resorting to speculation about individual cases.
- Definitions and terminology for describing build, from slender to fleshy
- How chest girth relative to height serves as a practical index
- Distinctions between growth in childhood and stable adult body form
- Methods for studying heredity and variation through family data
Ideal for readers of genetics, anthropology, or medical history who want a clear, method‑driven view of how our bodies take shape and pass these traits to the next generation.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
