SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCE

GTN222/ ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS

SEMESTER 2, ACADEMIC SESSION 2022/2023

PART 1: ANTHROPHOMETRY MEASUREMENT AND BODY

COMPOSITION
PRACTICAL 1A:
WEIGHT AND HIGH MEASUREMNET
WAIST AND HIP CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT
PRACTICAL 1B:
SKINFOLD THICKNESS MEASUREMENT

STUDENT’S NAME: SITI HAJAR BINTI MOHD TOHAR

MATRIC NO.: 156365
PROGRAMME: DIETETIC

FACILITATOR’S NAME: PUAN WAN SURIATI WAN NIK

INTRODUCTION
One of the most crucial elements in the evaluation of nutritional status is anthropometric measurement.
This is taking into account the fact that anthropometry is a direct measurement with a high degree of
validity. Anthropometry is the measuring of a person's size and shape (size and shape). Therefore,
employing anthropometric measures is necessary to assess the degree of our human nutrition.
Anthropometry is also used to measure the growth and development of infants, adolescents, and teens;
the growth rate of these individuals is determined by taking measurements of their length, height,
weight, and head circumference. Individual measurement findings are often compared to the growth
chart's standard reference.
Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, ratio waist circumference, skinfold
measurement, and body fat percentage are among the anthropometric measures used on adults. The risk
of non-communicable illnesses, for instance, as well as excess or underweight, may be determined by
comparing all measurements to a standard measure.

OBJECTIVE
Discover the proper methods for measuring your height, waist, and hips accurately, and how to classify
body's dimensions using the BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Weight Measurement Steps:
1. The respondent should be asked to wear light clothes and remove shoes/slippers before
providing a response.
2. A reading of "0" should be shown by the scale needle.
3. The respondent should be asked to stand on the scale with both feet close to the weighing
floor, while hands hang free (relaxed) and head is looking ahead.
4. Two readings (the nearest 0.5kg or 0.1kg for the digital scale) should be read and recorded.
The respondent should be asked to get off the scale after the first reading.
5. If there is a difference of more than 1% between the two earlier readings, the measurer should
be reminded by the recorder to take the third reading.

Height Measurement Steps:

1. The respondent is asked to remove their shoes/slippers.
2. The respondent is asked to stand upright under the stadiometer with both feet (heels) close to
the floor.
3. The respondent's back should be made as straight as possible so that the view of their eyes is
vertical parallel to the horizon of the floor. Hands should hang freely (relax).
4. The respondent is asked to take a deep breath without changing the position of their head and
hold it for a while.
5. The stadiometer bar is lowered (lowered) over the respondent's head and gently pressed until
it touches the scalp.
6. 2 readings (0.1cm) are read and recorded. When reading, the eyes must be at the same level as
the stadiometer bar. After the first reading, the respondent needs to be removed from under
the stadiometer.

Waist Circumference Measurement:

1. A tape measure is used to measure waist circumference.
2. The respondent is asked to stand up straight with their feet shoulder-width apart and their
hands crossed on the chest in a relaxed state.
3. Waist circumference is measured on the naturally small part of the body (slim), which is
located in the middle between the lowest rib and crest of the ileum. The slimmest part is seen
by the measurer who is in front of the respondent.
4. The tape measure is placed by the measurer to the left or right side of the respondent,
ensuring that it is parallel to the floor horizon with the help of a recorder.
5. The eyes are positioned parallel to the tape measure when taking measurements at the end of
a normal exhalation.
6. The nearest 2 readings (0.1cm) are read and recorded. After the first measurement, the
measuring tape must be removed from the respondent's body.
7. If there is a difference of more than 1% between the first and second measurements, the
measurer is reminded by the recorder to take the third measurement.
 RESPONDENT 1

Name:
Age: 50 years old
Gender: Female
Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Body weight (kg) 53.9 53.9 - 53.9

Height (m) 1.45 1.45 - 1.45

Body Mass Index BMI: Weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)]
= 53.9kg / [1.45m x 1.45]
= 25.6kg/m2 (overweight)

Reading 3
Reading 1 Reading 2 Final reading
(If needed)
Waist circumference
87.6 87.4 - 87.5
(cm)
hip circumference
97.3 97.2 - 97.25
(cm)

Waist: hip ratio: 0.90

 RESPONDENT 2

Name: Miss R
Age: 20 years old
Gender: Female
Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Body weight (kg) 30.35 30.35 - 30.35

Height (m) 1.45 1.45 - 1.45

Body Mass Index BMI: Weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)]
= 30.35kg / [1.45m x 1.45]
= 14.4kg/m2 (underweight)

Reading 3
Reading 1 Reading 2 Final reading
(If needed)
Upper arm
circumference 17.5 17.6 - 17.55
measurement (cm)
Triceps skin fold
9.0 8.0 8.0 8.0
(mm)
Biceps skin fold
6.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
(mm)
 RESPONDENT 3

Name: Miss N
Age: 21 years old
Gender: Female
Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Body weight (kg) 58 57 57 57

Height (m) 1.75 1.75 - 1.75

Body Mass Index BMI: Weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)]
= 58kg / [1.75m x 1.75m]
= 18.8kg/m2 (normal)

Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

13.0
Subscapular skin 12.0 13.0 13.0
fold (mm)
 RESPONDENT 4

Name: Miss S
Age: 22 years old
Gender: Female
Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Body weight (kg) 45.0 45.0 - 45.0

Height (m) 1.55 1.55 - 1.55

Body Mass Index BMI: Weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)]
= 45kg / [1.55m x 1.55]
= 18.7kg/m2 (normal)

Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Suprailiac skin 11.0 11.5 - 11.25

fold (mm)
 RESPONDENT 5

Name: Miss A
Age: 20 years old
Gender: Female
Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Final reading

Body weight (kg) 61 61 - 61

Height (m) 1.61 1.61 - 1.61

Body Mass Index BMI: Weight (kg) / [height (m) x height (m)]
= 61kg / [1.61m x 1.61]
= 23.5kg/m2 (normal)

Reading 3
Reading 1 Reading 2 Final reading
(If needed)
Abdomen skin fold
23.5 24.0 - 23.75
(mm)
Discussion:
BMI calculations were performed for each participant. In order to give basic criteria for evaluating a
person's weight and related health concerns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has created a
categorization of BMI ranges as below.

BMI Nutritional status

<18.5 Underweight
18.5-24.9 Normal weight
25.0-29.9 Overweight
30.0-34.9 Obesity class I
35.0-39.9 Obesity class II
>40.0 Obesity class III

Based on the result above, three participants, all 20 and 21-year-old students are categorized as normal
weight which are 18.8kg/m2, 18.7kg/m2 and 23.55kg/m2 respectively. Besides, there are other two of
participants are categorized as unhealthy body weight. A 50-year-old elderly woman is classified in
overweight group with BMI, 25.6kg/m2 while a 20-year-old student is classified in underweight with
14.4kg/m2.

For waist and hip circumference, measurements were taken on respondent 1. The purpose of this
measurement is to determine the waist-to-waist ratio, which will be used as an indicator of general
health, including metabolic syndrome conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. For
example, person are more likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes if most of the body fat
accumulates around the waist rather than the hips. A waist measurement of more than 35 inches for
women or more than 40 inches for males will increases the risk of these diseases. According to the
results from the initial respondents, her waist hip ratio count has above the normal range, and she is in
the metabolic syndrome high risk category. Along with this condition, there are few others risk factor
for disease and conditions associated with obesity including hypertension, high lipid profile value and
high blood glucose.

One student was participated in arm circumference, triceps, and biceps skin fold measurement. Mid
upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a useful tool for a fast assessment of the nutritional status which
measured at the midpoint between the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the elbow of the right upper
arm. A MUAC of higher than 13.5 cm indicates appropriate nutrition; one of less than 12.5 cm indicates
malnutrition. (Eaton-Evans, 2013). Even with a BMI of 14.4kg/m2, this second respondent had a normal
arm circumference of 17.55cm. For triceps skinfold measurement, according to Triceps Skinfold Norms
from NHANES (1999-2002), the respondent is classified under the 5th percentile with the age of 20 and
8.0mm skinfold thickness.
For skinfold measurement, skinfold calliper (Pooya) was used to estimate body fat percentage by
measure the thickness of the skin and fat underneath (subcutaneous fat) on particular points of the body.

(Moore, 2023)

According to the body fat percentage measuring calliper chart as shown above, a female age 20 with a
skinfold thickness of 8 to 9 mm and 17.7% body fat is considered to be healthy as indicated by the
second respondent for triceps and biceps skinfold measurement. While for subscapular skinfold
measurement that participated by respondent 3, she has categorized with healthy body fat percentage
based on her age, 21 years old and her subscapular skinfold thickness, 13mm. For suprailiac skinfold
measurement, reading was taken on respondent 4. The result showed that this respondent has a healthy
body fat percentage with 20.3% with age 22 years old and 11.25mm of suprailiac skinfold thickness.
Lastly, for abdomen skinfold measurement that was taken by respondent 5, showed that she is in average
body fat percentage with 29.0% to 30.2%.
References:

Eaton-Evans, J. (2013). Nutritional assessment: Anthropometry. Encyclopedia of Human

Nutrition, 227–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-375083-9.00197-5

Moore, B. (2023, April 3). How to use skinfold calipers to measure body fat percentage:
Legion. Legion Athletics. https://legionathletics.com/body-fat-calipers/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Assessing your weight and health
risk. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/risk.htm#:~:text=Waist%20Circu
mference,-
Measuring%20waist%20circumference&text=If%20most%20of%20your%20fat,than%
2040%20inches%20for%20men.
CONCLUSION

To conclude, from my point of view, the best instrument that I would prefer to use is TANITA SC-330
due to the total results came out which more complete and acceptable readings compared to others.
References: