Write a short note on Anthropometry & Nutritional Classifications.

Definition

• Anthropometry is the measurement of the dimensions and gross composition of the human body.
• In children it is the simplest, cheapest and most objective method to assess growth and nutritional status.

Key Measurements & Their Value

• Weight — most sensitive index of recent nutrition.
• Length/Height — index of chronic/long-standing nutrition.
• Head circumference — brain growth (0–2 yr most useful).
• Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) — muscle + fat; age-independent 1–5 yr.
• Chest circumference; skinfold thickness (triceps/subscapular — body fat).

Derived Nutritional Indices

Classifications of Malnutrition

• WHO (Z-score): < −2 SD = moderate, < −3 SD = severe, for the respective index.
• IAP (weight-for-age, % of expected): Grade I 70–80% · II 60–70% · III 50–60% · IV < 50%.
• Gomez (weight-for-age): Grade I 75–90% · II 60–75% · III < 60%.
• Waterlow: combines wasting (wt-for-ht) & stunting (ht-for-age) to grade acute vs chronic.
• MUAC: < 11.5 cm severe, 11.5–12.5 cm moderate, > 13.5 cm normal acute malnutrition.

Uses

• Individual — diagnosis & grading of malnutrition and monitoring of treatment response.
• Community — nutritional surveillance, surveys, and targeting of intervention programmes.

Weight for height identifies acute wasting; height for age chronic stunting.