In the clinic, anthropometric measurements are important components of nutritional status assessment. Malnutrition (undernutrition or overnutrition); It shows its main physiological effect by creating harmful changes in body composition. Anthropometry techniques; It enables the determination of the severity and composition of these morphological changes. It helps monitor nutritional treatment.
Height
Height can be measured directly with a stadiometer whenever possible. After the age of thirty, height becomes progressively shorter due to physiological and morphological changes that develop with aging. It has been reported that the average shortening is 1-1.2 cm every 10 years after the age of 30 due to the narrowing of the intervertebral disc space. It was determined that there was a decrease of 0.5 cm every year in the elderly between the ages of 60-80. It is also difficult to measure height in patients with chronic diseases affecting the neuromuscular system such as arthritis, osteoporosis and Parkinson's, spinal deformities (such as kyphosis, scoliosis) or bedridden patients. In individuals where standing measurements cannot be taken; Estimated height can be calculated using equations using full or half fathom width and knee height. Care should be taken to ensure that the equations used are validated and appropriate for the country's population. There are also nomograms that can estimate height using knee height.
Body weight
Ideally, body weight is measured by calibrated electronic must be measured with a scale. Weighing should always be done with the same scale, wearing the same style of clothing, preferably underwear, at the same time of day and on an empty stomach. Weight is a measurement that can be easily obtained and has standards to compare with. In patients who cannot move, body weight can be measured with a calibrated "bed scale", and in patients who cannot stand up, body weight can be measured with a "chair scale". Again, estimated body weight can be calculated using the formula using knee length, upper middle arm circumference (UOCS), calf circumference and suscapular skinfold thickness measurements. Since the patient's self-reported weight is often inaccurate, it should not be assessed this way. Weight measurement indicates actual body mass in patients with edema It may not. Edema, ascites etc. In disease states, body weight increases in cases of dehydration, diuresis, massive tumor growth and organ enlargement. Body weight may vary from day to day in patients in the hospital environment. This situation is indicative of a change in fluid balance rather than energy balance. In the presence of edema, the change in body weight should be examined using additional anthropometric measurements (such as upper middle arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness) other than body weight.
Upper middle arm circumference (UOCC). )
Upper mid-arm circumference is an indicator of muscle mass (somatic protein stores). Mid-upper arm circumference measurement may be preferred when assessing nutritional status in patients with congestive heart failure, renal failure, or dehydration problems, as it is the least affected measurement. With this measurement, triceps skinfold thickness measurement can be used to calculate the upper middle arm muscle area (UMCA).
Waist and hip circumference, waist-hip ratio and waist-height ratio
Environment measurements can be useful in detecting chronic disease risk and assessing changes in body composition. Waist circumference is measured using a rigid tape measure from the narrowest part, such that the distance between the lowest rib bone and the iliac crest is above the belly button. Hip circumference is measured from the hip area that protrudes the most when viewed from the side of the individual. Circumference measurements should not be used because fat distribution is an indicator of risk. Having excess body fat in the abdominal area relative to total body fat is a risk factor for chronic diseases associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. A waist circumference of more than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women is an independent risk factor for the disease.
To determine the waist-hip ratio, waist circumference is divided by hip circumference. Waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.90 in men and greater than 0.85 in women has been defined as one of the criteria used for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to the World Health Organization (WSO), and this definition is compatible with study findings predicting all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. e is consistent.
Waist-to-height ratio is defined as waist circumference divided by height. Waist-to-height ratio is a measure for the distribution of adipose tissue. In general, higher waist-to-height ratio values imply a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity-related atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The desired values are 0.5 in adults aged 50 and under, between 0.5 and 0.6 in adults between 40 and 50 years of age, and 0.6 or below in adults over 50 years of age.
Skinfold skinfold thickness
Skinfold skinfold thickness measurements are used to determine body fat. Approximately P of body fat is subcutaneous. Measurement can be taken from chest, triceps, subscapular, midaxillary, suprailiac, abdomen, thigh, mid-calf areas. It is recommended to take measurements from at least three areas. When calculating the body fat percentage from skinfold thicknesses (DKK), the calculation is made by taking the logarithm of the sum of the skinfold thicknesses taken from four regions (biceps, triceps, supscapula, suprailiac) and substituting them in the developed formula. There are also standards where evaluation can be made based on measurements taken from a single area (triceps DKK) under hospital conditions. Triceps DKK being below 4 mm in men and 9 mm in women should be considered as an indicator of malnutrition. However, it should be noted that the results may be erroneous in case of edema. The suitability of the standard tables used is also important.
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