ANTHROPOMETRY

Meaning of Anthropometry:

The study of human body measurements on a comparative basis is known as anthropometrics. Its
applicability to the design process is seen in the physical fitness, or interface, between the human body
and the various components of interior space.

It is the measurement and study of human body dimensions like height, weight, reach lengths, eye
heights, etc. It is one of the most important data sets applied to fit people with their products and
physical environment.

There are two ways of measuring Anthropometry.

A) Static Anthropometry

The static anthropometric data is a basic set of numbered variables and brief descriptions of their use in
ergonomics while the body is still.

Static measurements

Measurements taken when body in a fixed state.

Skeletal dimensions (between the centers of joints, i.e. between elbow and wrist). Contour dimensions
(skin surface/head circumference).

Body measurements vary as a function of age, gender, ethnicity (and nutrition, but not as clear).

B)Dynamic Anthropometry

The dynamic anthropometric data is a basic set of numbered variables and brief descriptions of their use
in ergonomics while the body is moving.

Dynamic (Functional) Dimensions

· Taken when body is engaged some physical activity

· Body members function in concert

· No systematic procedure for translating static into dynamic measurements

In epidemiological studies, anthropometry is often used to evaluate disease risk as well as assessing
body composition changes.

Anthropometric measurements can provide valuable information about health and development status,
either as standalone or as combined measurements. For instance, waist circumference is often used as
an indicator of central obesity, whereas changes in height or head circumference over time reflect rates
of somatic growth.

Anthropometry can also be used to evaluate the nutritional status of an individual or a population, such
as obesity resulting from over-nutrition or emaciation caused by malnutrition. Simple anthropometric
measures are often implemented as proxy measures of overall and central fat in epidemiological studies.

Threshold values commonly used to indicate nutritional status

Adult obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2)

Adult overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2)

Adult underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2)

BMI ::

The body mass index (BMI) or Quetelet index is a value derived from the mass (weight) and height of an
individual.

It has traditionally been used to identify individuals who are the most likely to be overweight or obese.
Generally, a high value indicates excessive body fat and consistently relates to increased health risks and
mortality.

It is also used to identify chronic energy deficiency in adults.

How is the measurement conducted?

BMI estimates are derived using the measurement of height and weight. The unit of the measurement
(e.g. metric units or Imperial scale) should be clearly stated to avoid discrepancy in recording the
measurements. Incorrect conversion may lead to errors.
If a study participant cannot stand straight or confined to a chair or bed, BMI can still be derived from
special equations using arm span or knee height instead of height.

When is this method used?

BMI is used in clinical settings, field surveys, and large scale population studies as a screening tool to
indicate whether a person or a population is underweight, overweight, obese or a healthy weight for
their height.

Typically used to track weight status in populations and as a screening tool to identify potential weight
problems in individuals (underweight or overweight).

When applied to a population, BMI is used to identify independent and interactive risks of unfavourable
health outcomes associated with body compositions, so as to inform policy, facilitate prevention
programmes and assess the effect of interventions.

BMI AND CI :::::

In anthropometry, BMI stands for "Body Mass Index," which is a calculation used to assess a person's
weight relative to their height, while CI stands for "Conicity Index," a measure that specifically estimates
central adiposity (fat around the waist) by taking into account both weight, height, and waist
circumference; both are used to evaluate potential health risks associated with body composition.

Key points about BMI and CI:

BMI calculation:

BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

Interpretation of BMI:

Underweight: < 18.5 kg/m²

Normal weight: 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m²

Overweight: 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m²

Obesity: ≥ 30 kg/m²

Limitations of BMI:

While widely used, BMI doesn't differentiate between muscle and fat mass, meaning a very muscular
individual could be classified as overweight based on BMI alone.

CI calculation:
The Conicity Index formula involves a combination of weight, height, and waist circumference, providing
a more nuanced measure of central obesity compared to BMI.

Use of CI:

Since CI takes waist circumference into account, it is often considered a better indicator of potential
health risks associated with abdominal fat distribution compared to BMI alone.

Physiological variables like blood pressure, pulse rate, body composition, and fat patterning" refer to
measurable aspects of the body's function that include how much pressure blood exerts on artery walls
(blood pressure), the rate at which the heart beats (pulse rate), the breakdown of a person's body mass
into components like muscle and fat (body composition), and where fat is distributed on the body (fat
patterning) - all of which are important indicators of overall health and can be affected by various
factors like diet, exercise, and genetics.

Key points about these variables:

Blood pressure:

Measured as systolic (pressure when the heart contracts) and diastolic (pressure when the heart
relaxes), high blood pressure can indicate cardiovascular risk.

Pulse rate (heart rate):

The number of times the heart beats per minute, a high resting heart rate might suggest poor fitness or
stress.

Body composition:

Determined by factors like percentage of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density, often assessed using
methods like DEXA scans.

Fat patterning:

Refers to where fat is stored on the body, with "central adiposity" (excess fat around the abdomen)
considered particularly concerning for health.

How they relate to each other:

Body composition and blood pressure:

Studies show a strong association between increased body fat, particularly visceral fat (fat around
organs), and higher blood pressure.

Fat patterning and cardiovascular risk:

Important considerations:

Individual variations:

Normal ranges for these variables can vary depending on age, sex, fitness level, and genetics.

Assessment methods:

Accurate measurement of these variables requires standardized techniques and appropriate equipment.