Pediatric Nutrition in Practice

Clinical Evaluation and Anthropometry 9

1

Head circumference:

• Use a tape measure that does not stretch


• Find the largest measurement around the mid
  forehead and occipital prominence
  Mid-upper-arm circumference:


• Mark the mid upper arm (halfway between the
  acromion of the shoulder and the olecranon of

the elbow; fig. 4 ), then use a non-stretch tape

measure and take the average of 3 readings at

the midpoint of the upper arm ( fig. 5 )

Skinfold thickness:

• Pinch the skin between two fingers and apply
  specialised skinfold callipers ( fig.  6 ); experi-
  ence is needed to produce accurate and repeat-

Fig. 3. A stadiometer should be used
for accurate assessment of height.

Fig. 4. The mid upper arm is the
point halfway between the acromi-
on of the shoulder and the olecra-
non of the elbow (marked with a
pen).
Fig. 5. To determine mid-upper-arm
circumference, take the average of 3
readings made with a non-stretch
tape measure at the mid-upper-arm
point.

4 5

Koletzko B, et al. (eds): Pediatric Nutrition in Practice. World Rev Nutr Diet. Basel, Karger, 2015, vol 113, pp 6–13
DOI: 10.1159/000360311