Anthropometric Indicators of Nutritional Status
It is important during newborn assessment at birth to get the baby’s basic measurements like weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference, abdominal girth and mid arm circumference.
Weight is a simple growth parameter that serves as an index of acute nutritional status.
For proper evaluation, there is a reference standard for both local and international that is being used.
Height or length measurement is said to be a better criterion of growth since this is unaffected by excess fat and fluid.
Weight for height more accurately assess body build and is useful in identifying a child who is acutely malnourished.
The head circumference is influenced by nutritional status until the age of 36 months.
A measurement below th 5th percentile may indicate chronic undernutrition during fetal life and early childhood.
While, the skinfold thickness that is usually measured over the triceps provides an estimation of total body fat which is an indicator of body energy stores.
Together with weight for height, this can determine chronic undernutrition. The skinfold thickness can also be used to determine current nutritional status and body composition.