Cross-sectional relationships were estimated between anthropometric measures of body dimensions such as abdominal, central and upper body fat patterning, and total adiposity and the dependent variables of diabetes, blood pressure, plasma lipids and glucose, and left ventricular wall thickness. Anthropometric predictors of diabetes, blood pressure, plasma lipids and glucose, and left ventricular wall thickness were identified over a 24 year interval. Anthropometric predictors of survival were identified over a 25 year period with reference to mortality for coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Body dimensions were described by race and sex groups and changes in the shapes of individuals over a 24 year interval were examined. The importance of changes in anthropometric measurements with aging was determined for the prediction of diabetes, blood pressure, plasma lipids and glucose, left ventricular wall thickness, mortality from all causes and from coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.