Anthropometry

Anthropometry
Body Measurements

Widely used, inexpensive and non-invasive measure of

general nutritional status of an individual or population group

Building blocks of Anthropometry

4 Variables?
—Age
—Sex
—Weight
—Height
 Anthropometry
Anthropometric Indices

When 2 variables are used together and compared to a reference

value called an Index

Indices used in assessing nutritional status

—WFH
—WFA
—HFA
 Anthropometric Indices
• Height and age (HFA) - measures for chronic malnutrition; measurements which
are low height-for-age indicate long-term malnutrition, i.e. “stunting”.

• Weight and height (WFH) - measures for acute malnutrition; measurements

which are low weight-for-height indicate short-term malnutrition, i.e. “wasting”.

• Weight and age (WFA) – Combine measure for chronic and acute malnutrition;
measurements which are low for WHA indicate malnutrition.

• Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) – measures for acute malnutrition and
immediate risk of death in children 6-59 months.
 Assessing
Age , Oedema, MUAC
Weight & Height/Length
How to Assess Age (6-59 months)
 Age needs to be confirmed from birth certificate, EPI card

 Ask Mothers/Caretakers-recall (use local events calendar)

 For young children check child’s swallow skills with RUTF

 Use of height sticks (65 cm – 110 cm)

 How to Assess Bilateral Pitting Oedema
• Gently press both feet for 3 seconds (the time to say 101,102,103) with
your thumb. Remove your thumb from the feet.

• If a yellow pit (depression) remains for several seconds, the child has
nutritional Oedema

• Pitting Oedema is graded as +, ++, +++

• If bilateral pitting oedema is noted then it is important to have a second

opinion to confirm
How to Measure MUAC ( Mid Upper arm
circumference)
 Ask the mother to remove extra clothing that may cover the child’s left
arm.
 Calculate the midpoint of the child’s left upper
 Straighten the child’s arm and wrap the tape around the arm at midpoint.
 Inspect the tension of the tape on the child’s arm.
 Record MUAC measurement to the nearest 0.1cm
How to Measure Weight using UNISCALE
 Place the scale on a flat surface.
 Remove extra clothing from child as much as possible
 Press the Weighing Scale to turn it on
 Ask Mother/Caretaker to stand on the scale without child
 Store weight of the mother by pressing store button
 Pass child to be weighed to the mother on scale
 The scale indicate the child’s weight.
 Record child's to the nearest 0.1 gm
How to Measure Height/Length of a child
 For increased accuracy & precision 2 people are needed
 Children aged ≥ 2 years are measured standing up and <2
years are measured laying down
 If age is difficult to assess then children >87 cm are
measured standing and <87 cm are laying down
It is important to
 Record child height to the nearest 0.1 cm
 A height stick or tape fixed on a wall/table can also be used
to quickly measure child height/length
 Headpiece firmly
on head

15
8

Hand on
Chin 9

Shoulders
Level 10
Measures
3 on Knees
Child’s hands
and Arms at side 11

Left Hand on Knees,

5 Knees together
against Board

Assistant
on Knees 2
Right Hand on Shin,
4 Heals against back
1 and base of board
 Measurer
on Knees Assistant
on Knees
3
2

Arms comfortably
straight 5

Hand on Knees or
shins; legs straight

4
9 7 Hands cupped over ears;
Child’s feet flat Child Flat on Board head against base of board
against foot piece
Using Weight and Height Tables
THANKS