Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123

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Data in Brief

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dib

Data Article

A dataset on anthropometric measurements of

children in Jordan for ergonomic product
design
Mumen Rababah∗, Morad Etier
Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa
13133, Jordan

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The assessment and examination of anthropometric mea-

Received 2 November 2023 sures in children are of paramount significance in the ad-
Revised 18 January 2024 vancement and creation of furniture, tools, and toys that
Accepted 23 January 2024 specifically addresses the requirements of children as users.
Available online 1 February 2024
The dataset analyzed a total of 354 children from Jordan, di-
Dataset link: Anthropometric Data
vided into six distinct age groups ranging from 6 months to
Compilation for Children in Jordan: A 9 years. The linear static measures included the skeletal di-
Comprehensive Dataset (Original data) mensions pertaining to the distances between joints in the
body, as well as the dimensions of the middle and lower
Keywords:
bodies. It consists of 23 anthropometric measurements such
Ergonomics
as: stature, sitting height, knee height, eye height sitting,
Human factors
Children anthropometry
chest depth and shoulder breadth and others. The dataset
Product design supports the article “Preliminary and Comprehensive Static
Anthropometric Measurements of Jordanian Children for Var-
ious Age Groups” [1]. The available data may initiate the es-
tablishment of a connection between anthropometric mea-
surements and other design attributes used in Jordanian so-
ciety. Additionally, these data have the potential to provide
valuable insights for the development of diverse functional

∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. Rababah).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110123
2352-3409/© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
2 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123

products, including clothing and safety equipment specifi-

cally tailored for the needs of children in Jordan.
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Specifications Table

Subject Ergonomics and human engineering

Specific subject area Anthropometry
Data format Raw
Type of data Tables and Figures
Data collection 354 children (6 months – 9 years age range) were considered for the analysis
and the anthropometric measurements are 23 measures namely: stature,
sitting height, back of the head height, ear height sitting, eye height sitting,
height of prominent neck vertebra, shoulder height sitting, chest depth, lower
abdominal depth, waist height sitting, hip breadth sitting, underside of elbow
height to floor (sitting), underside of elbow height to seat (sitting), back of
elbow to wrist crease, shoulder breadth, back of elbow to fingertip, shoulder
finger tips depth, palm breadth, hand breadth, wrist breadth, index finger
height, middle finger height, seat height, popliteal height (sitting), top of knee
height (sitting), lumbar popliteal depth.
Data source location Cities in Jordan (Amman, Irbid, Zarqa)
Data accessibility Repository name: Mendeley Data Repository.
Data identification number: 10.17632/833pdbrhdr.2
Direct URL to data: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/833pdbrhdr/2
Related research article Etier, M., Alkhazali, A., Alsukker, A., Al-Momani, E., Asha, S., & Al-Sharif, A.
(2021). Preliminary and Comprehensive Static Anthropometric Measurements
of Jordanian Children for Various Age Groups. Ergonomics in Design, 29(3),
11-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1064804620947002

1. Value of the Data

• The advancement and creation of furniture, tools, and games that specifically addresses the
requirements of children as users.
• The potential to provide valuable insights for the development of diverse functional prod-
ucts, including clothing and safety equipment specifically tailored for the needs of children
in Jordan.
• The aforementioned data has immense value for researchers engaged in the study of child
product development, particularly in the area of designing products with a focus on er-
gonomics.

2. Background

Anthropometric measurements are pivotal for enhancing convenience and comfort in designs,
especially tailored for children. The establishment of this dataset stems from a deliberate effort
to address the current gap in anthropometric data, specifically within pediatric statistics in Jor-
dan. Given the rapid physical growth and maturation characterizing children’s development, a
comprehensive understanding of their anthropometric characteristics is essential for designing
items that meet their needs and enhance overall usability. The dataset was collected using a
meticulous technique that involved collecting anthropometric measurements from a representa-
tive sample of Jordanian children.
It is noteworthy that this data article does not make conclusive or interpretive statements;
however, its significance comes from its potential to serve as a foundational resource for re-
 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123 3

searchers, designers, and practitioners actively involved in the field of ergonomic product devel-
opment. By providing detailed anthropometric data, this dataset not only reinforces the related
research paper’s findings and conclusions, but also broadens its applicability by serving as a
valuable resource for future investigations and endeavors in the field of ergonomic product de-
sign for children in Jordan.

3. Data Description

The provided data consists of tables that give anthropometric measurements of children’s
bodies. Additionally, the available data provides substantial support for a research article fo-
cused on the areas of product design, development, and evaluation [1]. Human factors engineers
often use anthropometry to enhance daily consumer items and improve the work environment,
hence increasing safety and comfort. Anthropometry is an academic discipline that focuses on
the study of human body proportions and physical features [2]. Table 1 displays the characteris-
tics of the measuring instruments used in the acquisition of anthropometric data. Table 2 shows
the distribution of children who were involved in the experiment. Table 3 and Fig. 1 provide a
comprehensive list of 23 unique anthropometric dimensions along with their respective abbre-
viations and explanations. The all-encompassing dataset, which includes all relevant tables, can

Table 1
Characteristics of the measuring devices used in getting the anthropometric data.

Tool Characteristics

Lafayette Large Caliper Company: Lafayette Instrument Company

Model Number: 01290
Measurement Range: 0–60 cm
Accuracy: 0.5 mm
Lafayette Small Caliper Company: Lafayette Instrument Company
Model Number: 01291
Measurement Range: 0–30 cm
Accuracy: 0.5 mm
Lafayette Chest Depth Company: Lafayette Instrument Company
Model Number: 01140
Measurement Range: 0–60 cm
Accuracy: 0.5 mm
Vernier Caliper Company: Mitotoyo
Model Number: 530/104
Measurement Range: 0–150 mm
Accuracy: 0.1 mm
Digital Bathroom Scale Company: Taylor Precision Products
Model Number: 7506
Measurement Range: 0–180 kg
Accuracy: 0.05 kg

Table 2
Distribution of children by gender, age groups, and location.

Ages Males Females Sum Percentage Amman Irbid Zarqa

6–12 months 35 35 70 19.77% 70 0 0

13–24 months 20 20 40 11.30% 40 0 0
2–36 months 20 20 40 11.30% 17 21 2
3–5 years 20 20 40 11.30% 18 22 0
5–7 years 35 35 70 19.77% 2 41 27
7–9 years 47 47 94 26.55% 14 40 40
Total 177 177 354 10 0.0 0% 161 124 69
4 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123

Table 3
The Anthropometric dimensions’ abbreviations and their meanings.

Abbreviation Meaning Illustration

S Stature The linear distance from top of the head to the floor
when standing
SH Sitting Height The linear distance from the top of the head to the
seat when sitting
BHH Back of The Head Height The distance between the back of the head (the middle
of the back head) to the seat when sitting.
EHS Ear Height Sitting The linear distance between the middle of the ear to
the seat when sitting
EYHS Eye Height Sitting The linear distance between the middle of the eye to
the seat when sitting.
HPNV Height of Prominent Neck Vertebra The distance between the back of the head (first
cervical vertebrae) to the seat when sitting.
SHS Shoulder Height Sitting The linear distance between the maximum point of the
shoulders to the seat when sitting.
CD Chest Depth The depth of the chest when standing.
LAD Lower Abdominal Depth The depth of the lower abdominal
WHS Waist Height Sitting The linear distance between the waist and the seat
when sitting
HB Hip Breadth Sitting The breadth of hip when sitting
UEHF Underside of Elbow Height to Floor The distance between the bottom of the elbow to the
(Sitting) floor when sitting
UEHS Underside of Elbow Height to Seat The distance between the bottom of the elbow to the
(Sitting) seat when sitting.
EW Back of Elbow to Wrist Crease The linear distance between the elbow to the
beginning of the write when standing
SB Shoulder Breadth The breadth of the shoulder when sitting
BEFT Back of Elbow to Fingertip The linear distance between the back of the elbow to
the beginning of the middle finger.
SFT Shoulder Finger Tips Depth The linear distance between the shoulder to the finger
tips when standing
PB Palm Breadth Linear distance from the edge of the hand from the
small finger to the other side through index
HAB Hand Breadth The linear distance from the edge of the hand to the
other side through the thumb
WB Wrist Breadth The breadth of the wrist
IFH Index Finger Height The length of the hand through the index finger
MFH Middle Finger Height Maximum length of the hand through the middle
finger.
SHF Seat Height The linear distance between the siting to floor
PH Popliteal Height (Sitting) The linear distance between the back of the knee to
the floor
TKH Top of Knee Height (Sitting) The linear distance between the top of the knee to the
floor when sitting
LPD Lumbar Popliteal Depth The linear distance between the lumbar to the back of
the knee

be accessed via the Mendeley Data repository, providing users with unrestricted and transparent
entry to its contents.
Fig. 2 displays a representative depiction of the distribution at the 50th percentile for Stature
and weight over various age intervals for both males and females. The data presents growth
charts for children in Jordan, which have significant value in the development of various tools
and equipment pertaining to child growth, including clothing, tools, and toys. The data may also
be fitted using a statistical tool in order to get the optimal curve and equation that accurately
reflect the underlying model. The height and weight measurements for both boys and females
were determined to follow an exponential distribution. The data fit may be seen in the inset
located on the right side of each image. Nevertheless, there were no noteworthy disparities seen
in terms of size and weight between boys and girls.
 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123 5

Fig. 1. Children’s body dimensions [1].

Fig. 2. The 50th percentile distribution of the data (a) Stature for boys (b) Stature for girls (c) Weight for boys (d) weight
for girls, the inset shows the exponential distribution parameter.

Fig. 3 illustrates the dispersion of the 50th percentile for stature and weight over various
age intervals and genders, in contrast to other countries such the United States, Europe, China,
and Turkey [3–6]. The data shown in Fig. 3(c) and (d) illustrates significant variations in weight
among Jordanian children aged four years and older. The observed variations indicate that it is
advisable for youngsters in Jordan to own personalized designs pertaining to furniture, tools, and
other related items.
6 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123

Fig. 3. The 50th percentile distribution of the data in comparison with the US, Europe, Chinese, Turkish showing (a)
Stature for boys (b) Stature for girls (c) Weight for boys (d) weight for girls.

4. Experimental Design, Materials and Methods

This section provides a comprehensive explanation of the methodological framework, par-

ticipant demographics, data gathering, and apparatus used in the present study. This research
sought the participation of youngsters from various places in Jordan, and a total of 354 juveniles
freely took part in this academic endeavor. The participants demonstrated an understanding of
the primary goal of the study, which is to provide valuable knowledge that may support the
creation of a diverse range of practical goods.
The dataset being analyzed consists of a group of 354 individuals, ranging in age from 6
months to 9 years. The study used anthropometric techniques as the fundamental approach for
measuring the physical measurements of youngsters and analyzing specific anatomical features.
According to the data supplied by the department of statistics in Jordan, the children with
less than 9 years old are with percentage of 23.75% of the total Jordanian populations (about 10.5
Million). The total children population (N) was calculated to be about 2.5 Million. The sample
size was calculated using the following statistics equation:
z2 ×p(1−p)
Sample Size =  e2
 (1)
z2 ×p(1−p)
1+ e2 N

Where N is the total population (2.5 million), e is the margin of error (0.05 is used), z is the
z-score (1.65 for 90% confidence level) and p is the standard deviation among responses (0.5 is
used for worst case) where 90% confidence level and 5% of marginal error were used. The used
 M. Rababah and M. Etier / Data in Brief 53 (2024) 110123 7

of the previous equation resulted of sample size of 273 children. More sample size means more
accurate results, so that a total number of 354 was adapted and collected from kindergartens,
schools and child care centers from different main Jordanian cities (Amman, Zarqa and Ibrid).
These cities are considered to be the largest cities in Jordan. The cities have the same environ-
ment and the same life style for children. However, the 354 children were selected randomly
from these cities. The measurements were taken once for each children and for each anthropo-
metric measure. Different trials mean nothing in this case due to the accuracy and the applied
measurement tools. Moreover, dealing with children will not give the measurement team the
opportunity to take different measures due to the difficulty in children behavior and stability.
To ensure the accuracy and consistency of these measures, the study used particular anthro-
pometric instruments, including the Lafayette Caliper, Lafayette Chest Depth gauge, and a stan-
dard Scale. The selection of these tools was based on their demonstrated precision in obtaining
anthropometric data. Additional information on the attributes and technical parameters of these
measuring devices may be obtained by referring to Table 1.

Limitations

None.

Ethics Statement

This research followed ethical guidelines, ensuring that all subjects gave informed consent.
The consent method required a clear explanation of study facts and confirmed participants’ vol-
untary acceptance.

Data Availability

Anthropometric Data Compilation for Children in Jordan: A Comprehensive Dataset

(Original data) (Mendeley).

CRediT Author Statement

Mumen Rababah: Data curation, Writing – original draft; Morad Etier: Data curation, Writ-
ing – review & editing.

Acknowledgments

The authors are extremely grateful to all children who took place in this data paper.
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commer-
cial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal rela-
tionships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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