How to Take Basic Anthropometric Measurements in Patients

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of a human individual. Anthropometric measurements are s may noninvasive, quantitative techniques for determining an individual's body fat composition by measuring, recording, and analyzing specific dimensions of the body, such as height and weight; bodily circumference at the abdomen, triceps, and suprailiac; and skin-fold thickness at the waist, hip, mid-arm, and calf. These measurements are be used in clinical settings to determine an patients individuals nutritional health status and potential risk for chronic disease. By comparing an individuals physical measurements with standard medical charts, a health professional can interpret values to make an accurate diagnosis. To make correct diagnoses, adherence to consistent measurement procedures is critical. Accuracy must be a priority. When assessing patients, use Use tthe following instructions to properly to complete thee 10 basic anthropometric measurements:.

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When assessing patients, refer to these instructions to ensure correct form and precision. The following measurements should be taken and recorded on the patient evaluation sheet: 1. Weight 2. Height 3. Circumference: Waist, Hip, Mid-arm, Calf 4. Skinfold: Triceps, Abdomen, Supra iliac 5. Grip Strength

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1. Measuring Weight
Use Balance beam scale
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NOTE: Weigh patient in light clothing, with no shoes. 1. Balance the scale to 0 kg before weighing the patient. 2. Have the patient stand on the scale facing the balance beam, and then adjust the weights by sliding them to the right until the beam steadies and remains level. Wait at least 3 seconds after reaching equilibriumthe beam steadies to verify weight before recording.

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3. Read and record the weight to the nearest 0.5 kg.

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3.

2. Measuring Height
Use Stadiometer

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(connected to balance beam scale)

NOTE: Measure patient with no shoes. 1. Have the patient stand erect on the stadiometer platform, with his/her back toward the stadiometer.: F feet should be slightly apart, on the scale platform, eyes facing straight ahead, and shoulders relaxed. 2. Lower the movable headboard until it touches the crown of the head firmly. 3. Read and record height to the nearest 0.25 cm.

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3. Measuring Circumference
Use Measuring tape
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NOTE: -Ensure the patient has easily retractable clothing on the arms and legs.
-Hold measuring tape snugly, but do not compress the soft tissue of measurement site. -Record all measurements to the nearest 0.1 cm

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Waist
1. Have patient stand erect, with abdomen relaxed, arms at side, and feet together. Waist should be unclothed. 2. Stand to one theside of the patients right side to locate the true waist as follows: 2. a. a. Mark both the inferior margin (lowest point) of the last rib and the crest of the ilium (top of the hip bone) with a pen.

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3. b. With the measuring tape, measure the distance between hip and ribthe rib and hip then locate and mark the midpoint. This is the waist.

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3. Place one end of the measuring tape against the patients skin at the marked point, and wrap the remaining tape around the patients waist in a horizontal plane with the floorto meet the fixed end. . Hold the tape snugly, but do not compress around waist. 4.

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5. Read and rRecord measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm at the end of a normal breath expiration. 4.
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Hip
1. Have patient stand erect, with abdomen relaxed, arms at side, and feet together. 1. 2. Wrap the measuring tape around the maximum circumference of the buttocks , holding measuring tape in a horizontal plane to the floor. Hold the tape snugly, but do not compress around hips.

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2. 3. Read and rRecord measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm at the end of a normal breath expiration.

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Mid-arm
1. Select the patients (bare) right arm for measurement.

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2. Bend the forearm across the stomach to locate the midpoint of the upper arm as follows:
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2. a. With the tape measuremeasuring tape, measure the length between the acromial process of the scapula (juncture of back upper arm and shoulder) down to the tip of the elbow.

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a. b. Locate and mark the midpoint of this distance with a pen.

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b.
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3. Straighten the patients arm so that it relaxes at the side, and wrap the measuring tape around the arm at the marked midpoint. Hold the tape firmlysnugly, but gently, to avoid compression of the soft tissue.

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3. 4. Read and rRecord the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm.

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Calf
1. Have patient stand with feet about 8 inches (20cm) apart and weight evenly distributed. 2. Loop the measuring tape horizontally around the calf and slide the tape up and down along the patients lower leg to find the point of greatest calf circumference. 2. 3. Tighten the tape around the calf at this point. Hold the tape firmly, but gently, to avoid compression of the soft tissue. 3. 4. 4. Read and rRecord the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm..

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4. Measuring Skinfolds
Use Skin Calipers

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NOTE: -Do not release the fingers of the left hand while taking the readings. -Record all measurements to the nearest 0.5 mm

Triceps
1. Relocate the mid-point of the right arm as in the previous section on mid-arm circumference. 1.

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2. About an inch above this marked point, pinch the skin and adipose tissue over the triceps between your left thumb and forefinger in a vertical plane with the floor. Gently pull the skin and adipose tissue slightly away from the muscle.

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2. 3. With your right hand, place the prongs of the calipers around the skin fold at the marked mid arm point, (just below the pinch) and gently squeeze the trigger of the calipers so the entire force of the prongs is on the skinfold. Do not release the fingers of the left hand. 3. 4. Read and record the measurement to the nearest 0.5 mm..
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Abdomen
1. Have the patient stand erect, with weight evenly distributed and abdominal muscles relaxed. Patient should breathe gently. Waist should be unclothed. 1. 2. Use the tape measure to locate a point that is 3 cm horizontally to the right of and 1 cm below the umbilicus (belly button). Mark this point with a pen.

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2. 3. Pinch the skin and adipose tissue over this point between the left thumb and forefinger in a horizontal plane with the floor. Pull the skin and adipose tissue slightly away from the muscle.

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3. 4. With your right hand, place the prongs of the calipers around the skin fold at the marked point, and gently squeeze the trigger of the calipers so the entire force of the prongs is on the skinfold. Do not release the fingers of the left hand. 4. 5. Read and record the measurement to the nearest 0.5 mm. 5.
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Suprailiac
1. Have patient stand erect, with feet together and arms hanging at sides. Waist should be unclothed.

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2. Locate the iliac crest, which lies on the tip of the patients hipbone directly in line with the armpit crease (mid-axillary line). Pinch the skin and adipose tissue over this point between the left thumb and forefinger in a vertical plane with the floor.

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3. With your right hand, place the skinfold between the prongs of the calipers at this site, and gently squeeze the trigger of the calipers so the entire force of the prongs is on the skinfold. Do not release the fingers of the left hand. 1. 2. Pinch the skin and adipose tissue about 1 cm posterior (to the back) to the mid-axillary line (line

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that cuts directly down middle of shoulder and femur) at the top of the iliac crest (top of hip). 4. Gently pinch the skin and fat between the prongs of the calipers at this siteRead and record the measurement to the nearest 0.5 mm. 3.
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5. Measuring Grip Strength

Use Dynamometer

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1. Have the patient stand straight with his/her weight evenly distributed on both feet, and place, and hold the hand dynamometer in the patients dominant hand with the scale facing away from patients face. 1. 2. Adjust the hand- grip size until the joints of the patients fingers are approximately on a plane perpendicular to the
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scale plate. When the adjustment is optimal, the patient will sense that he/she can comfortably exert maximum grip.
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2. 3. Move the indicator level on the scale face to zero with your finger. 3. 4. The patient 4. With arms hanging at sides, theHave the patient should squeeze the hand dynamometer with as much force as possible, being careful to squeeze only once. Patient should remain gripping the dynamometer until maximum force is observed on the scale face, then release.
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5. Read and rRecord the resultant scale reading in kilograms (kg).