Body Mass Index Measurements by Anthropometry Method - Essay Example

Anthropometry Introduction Anthropometry is defined as the measurement of body mass index, the measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue is important because it indicates a clear indication of whether an individual is at increased risks of adult-onset diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, gallstones, arthritis, and cancer. (NHNES 1988)The objective of measuring of Anthropometrics was to ascertain the actual stature, weight, and body type that included skinfolds, girths, and breadths for assessing body fat distribution. This study will use anthropometric measurements such as skinfolds and circumferences and bioelectrical impedance to carry out a cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between obesity and risk of disease. The dietary structure, physical activity patterns, modifications and preferences especially in developed and developing countries. These shifts coincide with major health lifestyle diseases. (Popkin 2006) Studies indicated that the population groups who formed part of the nutrition transition had become increasingly vulnerable to lifestyle change diseases. (Compher 2006) Bioelectrical impedance assay (BIA) was an alternative method of measuring body composition. It a measured in terms of conductivity of the body by using weak alternating current and is expressed as the impedance or resistance. (Kushner et al 1992) Methods The list of the laboratory equipment were used in this study included; Calipers from (Bodycare Slim Guide, Warwickshire, England), Bioelectrical impedance scales from (Tanita, TBF-300, Tokyo, Japan), Body fat hand-held analyser from (Vitalio Series BF101,united states), Free standing stadiometer from (Leicster height measurement, SECA, Birmingham, England) and tape measure. Weight The weight was measured using electronic digital scale, where the digital LED was calibrated to read 000.00 before weighing started. The students were allowed to stand on the center of the weighing scale, one by one until all were weighed and their weight recorded in kilograms in the appropriate space on the body measurement form. Height The student asked to stand erect on the floorboard of the stadiometer with their back to the vertical backboard of the stadiometer. They were asked to place their heels; feet together with both heels touching the base of the vertical board, the feet pointed slightly outward at a 60-degree angle and the sides of the trunk hanged the arms freely with palms facing the thighs. The students were asked to inhale deeply and stood fully erect without altering the position of the heels. While lowering the horizontal bar slowly to the crown of the head and pressed it to compress the hair. The bar was locked in place while one of the labels was placed next to the tape on the upright bar so that the label was read on the standing height measuring photograph. Skinfolds The measurements were taken on the right side of the student’s body by using Holtain skinfold caliper. The fold of skin underlying subcutaneous adipose tissue was gently grasped between the left thumb and forefingers. The grasped skin and adipose tissue form a distinct fold that separated the underlying muscle, the jaws of the caliper were placed perpendicularly to the length of the fold, and the skinfold thickness was measured to the nearest 0.1 mm while the fingers continued to hold the skinfold. The actual measurement was read at four seconds after the caliper tension was released and recorded. Suprailiac skinfold was measured when the student stood with their right hip area was exposed. The iliac crest was marked, left thumb placed on the intersecting marks and picked up the skinfold with the thumb and fingers. The measurements were taken by placing the caliper perpendicular to the skinfold about 20mm medial to the fingers and the skinfold. Triceps Skinfold was measured while the students stood erect with shoulders relaxed, the arms hanging freely at the sides and feet were kept together. The measurements were taken from the right side of the student. The fold of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue was grasped gently by thumb and fingers 20mm above the marked midpoint for the upper arm circumference. Subscapular Skinfold measurement was recorded when the student stood erect with shoulders and arms relaxed at the side. The right scapula was marked and the fold of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue below (1.0 cm) and medial to the inferior angle. The skinfold thickness was measured to the nearest 0.1 mm while the fingers continued to hold the skinfold. The BMI serves as the best anthropometric indicator for use in adolescence and adults; it incorporated the required information on age, height and weight. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight (Kg) by the square of height (m). (Bauer and Maffeis 2002) Girth Measurements The measurement of waist circumference was carried out on 40 students half of either sex. The students were asked to relax on a standing position with their arms folded across the thorax. Waist circumference was taken at the level of the narrowest point between the lower costal border and the iliac crest and was taken perpendicularly to the long axis of the arm midway between the acromiale and the radiale. Hip measurement was taken at the greatest posterior protuberance of the buttocks which corresponds anteriorly to the level of the symphysis pubis. The students assumed a relaxed standing position to measure their Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Demispan The student’s arms were outstretched at the sides; the horizontal distance between the tips of the furthest finger away, the middle of the sternum was measured and recorded for both sexes. Results The results of BMI index of female and male are indicated in the graph below (Graph1 below) while that of standard deviation of both male and female is as indicated on (Graph 2 below) The comparison of BMI index between both sexes, the female average was 22.6 while that of the male was found to be (24.2) slightly higher than that of the females giving and indication that the number of females who were underweight (4) was higher than that of their male (1) counterparts. There was no remarkable difference in the case of the overweight students female overweight students were (2) as compared to those of male students. (4) Discussion The (BMI) was a measure of a body structure and fat content calculated by taking the student’s weight and dividing it with their height the higher the figure the more overweight the students were. When it was analysed, it was found that most female students preferred or never bothered that much to be underweight (4 underweight female students) may be was as a result of societal pressure to maintain a slim vody figure for females. Higher number of male students were observed to be overweight (4) as compared to the female students (2) this might have been due to the factor that there was a preference of muscular male and most male students would never mind of adding a few extra fat to look muscular. The main importance of measuring BMI index was to monitor one’s health in order to avoid the lifestyle change diseases that are now associated with most high calorie dietary intake and sedentary life. Therefore, the BMI index is used as a tool of measuring the indicators of earlier or late onset health complications like diabetes, obesity and hypertension. It indicates the health status of students whether to add or reduce their body weight and (BMI) to a normal range of 18.5 to 24.9. The size of the student’s waist circumference was used as a measure of their overall health status. This was because of the excess fat that was found deep down in the region of the abdomen, which ordinarily made students to have a large waist circumference area.  The fat accumulation was associated with high risk factors for varies lifestyle health issues. The result indicated that the students who were underweight needed to add extra weight and to those who were overweight needed to do something to reducing their weight and those who had a normal weight had to maintain it to keep enjoying good health. (Ashwell et al 1996) Conclusion The analysis of BMI index of students indicates that most of the students examined had a normal range of body composition and had a normal range of BMI indicating that their health was excellent. The females were the most likely students to have had underweight issues and proper measure need to be directed towards enabling them to avoid health disorders that are associated with underweight. While most male students were likely to be overweight, the analysis of BMI index of male students would enable the school and community to target this group of students with an appropriate measure of reducing their BMI index to a normal range to improve their health wellbeing. The limitations of this study was that the accuracy and precision of the (BIA) may have been affected by instrumentation and student’s health factors, their body's physiological status might have differed from student to student because of illness or healthiness of the individual students. (Lorenzo et al 9198) Care should be taken in measuring healthy skin and avoid grasping the skin for too long for consisted results. A proper calibration of instruments like calibres needs to be thoroughly checked to ensure accuracy of results. Identify and mark accurate site for the measurements, students ought to maintain a proper posture especially when measuring their height, waist circumference and maintain a proper breathing rhythm while the measurement is done. Reference list Bauer B and Maffeis C (2002) Child and Adolescent Obesity: Causes and Consequences; Prevention and Management. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Pp. 361-376. Compher C (2006) the nutrition transition in American Indians. Transcultural Journal of Nursing. 17(3) pp. 217-223. de Lorenzo A, Iacopino L and Sorge SP (1998) bioelectrical impedance vs dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Appl Radiat Isot 49, pp. 739-741. Deurenberg P, Smit HE and Kusters CS (1990) bioelectrical impedance assessment of body composition in children and young adults. Clin Nutr Eur J 44, PP. 261-268. Kushner R F, Fjeld C R and Schoeller D A, (992) the impedance index significant in predicting total body water. Clin Nutr J Am. 56 pp. 835-839. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHNES) (1988) Body mass index measurements by Anthropometry method. Westat, Inc. (301) pp. 251-1500 Popkin M (2006) the world is shifting rapidly toward a diet linked with non-communicable diseases. Clin Nutr J Am 84(2) pp. 289-298. Graph 1 BMI Graph 2 standard deviation Read More