Measuring growth

The science of measuring the human body is called Anthropometry. Taking body measurements may appear to be simple, but accurate and reliable measurement requires training and practice. Good anthropometry is like good sport or musical performance —it takes knowledge, coaching, time and a lot of patience. There are many possible sources of error that can make a series of measurements inaccurate and useless. The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) offers training courses. ISAK has developed international standards for anthropometric assessment and an international anthropometry accreditation scheme. Height or recumbent length (before the age of two years) and weight are the two most common measurements of body size. But, any part of the body may be measured. Circumferences of the head, arm or leg and waist are frequently measured. The amount of fat and muscle of the body may be estimated using a variety of anthropometric techniques. The measurement of hand grip strength, shown in the left photograph above, provides an estimate of overall physical fitness and health. Specialized anthropometric equipment is often used, but reasonable simple and low-cost materials may be used to measure accurately and reliably, as in the case of measuring height in the photographs. [Barry Bogin]