Module 3C

Anthropometric
Measurements:
Height / Length

Module 3C
Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

 Calibrate height boards.
 Measure a child’s length or height.

Module 3C
Age Cut-Offs

 All children under 2 years will be measured

lying down.
 In the rare occasion that a child’s age cannot be
determined, they may be included if they are
between 65-110cm tall.

Module 3C
Calibration of Measurement Tools

Height Board: Once (beginning of survey)

 Calibrate each height board with a standard

length stick.

Module 3C
Measuring Length

Module 3C
Measuring Length: Roles
Measurer:
 Kneel beside child’s feet on the child’s right.
 Place left hand on child’s knees or shins to ensure legs remain
straight.
 Ensure that feet are FLAT against the cursor.
 Take the reading.
Assistant:
 Kneels at top of child’s head.
 Gently but firmly holds both sides of child’s head and ensures
child is looking straight up towards the sky.
Team Leader:
 Writes down the reading.

Module 3C
Measuring Height

Module 3C
Measuring Height: Roles

Measurer:
 Kneels beside child’s head on the child’s right.
 Left hand gently but firmly holds the child neck/jaw
straight and ensures that the child is looking straight
ahead.
 Checks to see that ankles, knees, buttocks, shoulders,
and head are touching the height board.
 Right hand on cursor and slowly lowers it so that is
touching the child’s head.
 Takes the reading.

Module 3C
Measuring Height: Roles

Assistant:
 Kneels beside child’s feet on the child’s left.
 Places right hand on ankles and left hand on
knees to ensure that the two legs are touching
each other as well as the back of the height
board.

Team Leader:
 Writes down the reading.

Module 3C
 Common Mistakes

Measuring children standing up is much easier. Length is

much more difficult to measure than height.
 Common mistakes measuring Length:
 Toes pointed, knees bent, head lifted off the board.

 Common mistakes measuring Height:

 Child leaning to one side, heels not touching the
board, hands not at side.

Module 3C
Exercise
Find the errors in the following photos

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Module 3C
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Module 3C