Anthropometrics

Question 1

what is anthropometry?

Answer 1

obtaining physical measures and comparing standards or patients hx

Question 2

standards in reference to anthropometrics

Answer 2

not all anthropometrics have standards with validated cutoffs

BMI - tested and standardized (but not in all races/ethnicities)

normal ranges are not standards

Question 3

how to take a height measurement

Answer 3

using a stadiometer or tape measure

to the nearest 0.1 mm or 1/8 inch

arms by the sides, palm touching thighs, buttock and shoulders touching statiometer and wall

head in frankfort plane

inhale deeply and take measurement while breath is held

Question 4

how to take stretch height

Answer 4

using a stadiometer

to the nearest 0.1 mm

heels together, heels, buttocks and upper part of back touching stadiometer

head in frankfort plane – adjust head with fingers on orbital and ears

reposition hands under the jaw, and on an inhale, stretch person while second person measures

Question 5

alternative measures for height

Answer 5

sitting height
knee height
arm span
demi span
ulnar length

Question 6

length in children

Answer 6

using a headboard measurement - child’s head is in contact with fixed piece and move the feet until child is appropriately stretched out

or use a piece of paper with two marks

Question 7

how to measure weight

Answer 7

no shoes, light clothing
calibrated beam or electronic scale

0.5# or 0.2 kg

Question 8

ways to express weight

Answer 8

absolute weight
weight/height (wt/age - children)
relative to UBW
relative to IBW
absolute weight change
BMI

Question 9

Hamwi method for OBW

Answer 9

men: 106 + 6# per inches over 60”
women: 100# + 5# per inches over 60”

Question 10

corrections of OBW for missing body segments

Answer 10

hand: 0.7%
forearm with hand: 2.3%
entire arm: 5%
foot: 1.5%
lower leg and foot: 6%
entire leg: 16%

Question 11

pros and cons of BMI

Answer 11

helps to determine risk factors

does not account for ethnicity/race or muscle mass

Question 12

why measure circumferences

Answer 12

used to monitor growth
used to estimate frame size
used along with other anthropometrics to assess disease risk
used along with skinfolds to assess muscle mass and nutritional status

Question 13

head circumference purpose

Answer 13

indicator of non-nutritional abnormalities
malnutrition must be severe to influence

used: birth to 36 months

Question 14

determining OBW from frame size

Answer 14

uses wrist circumference to determine “r” value
this r value then changes the OBW based on the table

Question 15

waist circumference methods

Answer 15

WHO: midpoint between last rib and top of ileac crest
NIH/NHANES: high point of iliac crest
ISAK: narrowest point between 10th rib and top of iliac crest
level of umbilicus

Question 16

purpose of waist circumference

Answer 16

estimate excess body fat around the abdomen

Question 17

standards for waist circumference

Answer 17

men: >120cm (40”)
women: >88cm (35”)

Question 18

hip circumference methods

Answer 18

feet together
feet shoulder width apart

can be measured at the maximum extension of the buttocks or the greatest posterior protuberance

Question 19

waist:hip ratio standards

Answer 19

<1 in men
<0.8 in women

better predictor of abdominal obesity

Question 20

mid-arm circumference method

Answer 20

measure at the mid point between the upper edge of the acromion process and the tip of the olecranon process

arm is flexed at 90 degree with palm facing up

Question 21

purpose of skinfold measurements

Answer 21

provide information on body composition

used to assess nutritional status

Question 22

skinfold technique/method

Answer 22

measured on the right side to the nearest 0.1 mm

gently grasp the SKF firmly between left thumb and index finger
“lift” fold and keep elevated while measurement is taken

place calipers 1cm below the fingers
read ~3 second after tension is released

Question 23

tricep skinfold method

Answer 23

measured at the midpoint between the acromion process and the olecranon process

taken from the back with arm hanging loosely at side, palm directed anteriorly

Question 24

estimates that can be done with tricep skinfold measurement

Answer 24

mid arm muscle circumference (MAMC)
mid arm muscle area (MAMA)