anthropometry (nutrition)

Last reviewed 08/2023

Anthropometry is used to measure nutritional status in patients. Indices include:

  • body weight
  • body height
  • skin-fold thickness
  • mid-arm circumference
  • hand-grip dynanometry

Objectivity is the aim, but it must be remembered that in trying to compare values, there is a wide range of normality within any population, and that standard populations can be misleading in that there are variations of variables with age, sex, race etc.