Adapted from How to Weigh and Measure Children: Assessing the Nutritional Status of Young Children in Household Surveys, Annex I, Summary Procedures prepared by the United Nations Department of Technical Co-operation, Development and Statistical Office (New York: 1986).

General Procedures for Anthropometry

For each measurement, three people work together: the two enumerators and the mother. In each of the following sections, the enumerators are designated E1 and E2.

• Most mothers will not have had experience with anthropometry; therefore you should take time to explain exactly what you are doing and how the mother can help.
• Do not attempt to weigh or measure the child if the mother refuses. No family member is under any obligation to participate in the survey.
• When there is more than one child, complete and record all the measurements for one child before moving on to the next child.
• It is necessary to touch and handle children during the weighing and measuring process. This can sometimes be upsetting for the child or stressful for the family.
• If a child becomes very upset, give the child back to the mother and wait a few minutes.
• Write all results in pencil. If you make a mistake, erase the error and write the correct results.

Equipment

• measuring boards
• weighing scales suitable for infants (salter scale or uniscale)
• scales suitable for children 2 to 5 years old (uniscale or bathroom scale)
• survey forms and pencils

Height Measure of a Child Standing

 

Note: See Illustration No. 1

E1 & E2 Place the measuring board on a hard, flat surface and against a wall or a table. Make sure the measuring board is stable.

E1 & E2 Ask the mother to take off the child’s shoes and unbraid any hair that would interfere with the height measurement. Ask the mother to bring the child to the measuring board and then kneel next to the child.

E2 Put the questionnaire and pencil on the ground (Arrow 1) and kneel in front of the child (Arrow 2).

E1 Kneel on one knee at the left of the child (Arrow 3).

E2 Place the child’s feet flat together in the centre of the board. Put your right hand on the child’s shins (Arrow 4) and your left hand on the child’s knees (Arrow 5).

Make sure the child’s legs are straight and that the child’s heels and calves are against the board (Arrows 6 and 7).

E1 Ask the child to look straight ahead. Make sure the child’s line of sight is parallel to the ground (Arrow 8). Put your left hand on the child’s chin (Arrow 9).

Make sure the child’s shoulders are level (Arrow 10), the child’s hands are at her (or his) sides (Arrow 11), and the child’s head, shoulders and bottom are flat against the board (Arrows 12-14).

E2 Check the position of the child (Arrows 1-14). Repeat any steps as necessary.

E1 When the child’s position is correct, lower the headpiece to the top of the child’s head (Arrow 15); read the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm and call out the result to E2.

E2 Write the result on the questionnaire and show it to E1 for confirmation.