In the context of assessing nutritional status, define and explain an anthropometric measurement. Describe how height and body weight are important anthropometric measurements for assessing the nutritional status of a person

Answer 1

An anthropometric measurement is defined as the measurement of a body's physical dimensions or composition. It assesses the physical dimensions, such as height, or composition, such as fat mass of the body. The Greek term anthropometry means literally "to measure the human body." Because most anthropometric measurements are easy and inexpensive to conduct, anthropometry is routinely used in clinical and research environments. Even stepping on the scale to weigh yourself is an example of an anthropometric measurement. Anthropometric measurement cannot confirm deficiency of any particular essential nutrient, but it can give a clinician clues that nutritional inadequacies might be present. Because obesity can increase a person's risk of developing chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, height and body weight are frequently used anthropometric measures. These measures can also provide important information about the progression of other diseases. For example, a significant loss of body weight might indicate an eating disorder. Height and weight are also commonly used to assess nutritional status during infancy, childhood, and pregnancy. Various circumferences, such as those of the waist, hips, and head, are also sometimes measured to assess health. Differences in waist and hip circumferences reflect variations in body fat distribution patterns, and head circumference is frequently measured to monitor brain growth during infancy.