Krause’s Food & the Nutrition Care Process

Appendix 20

Indirect Methods for Measuring Height

Measuring Arm Span

Steps

1. The arms are extended straight out to the sides at a 90-degree angle from the body.

2. The distance from the longest fingertip of one hand to the longest finger of the other hand is measured.

Adult Recumbent

Steps

1. Stand on right side of the body.

2. Align body so that the lower extremities, trunk, shoulders, and head are straight.

3. Place a mark at the top of the sheet in line with the crown of the head and one at the bottom of the sheet in line with the base of the heels.

4. Measure length between marks with measuring tape.

Knee Height

Knee height measurement is highly correlated with upright height. It is useful in those who cannot stand and in those who may have curvatures of the spine.

Steps

1. Use the left leg for measurements.

2. Bend the left knee and the left ankle to 90-degree angles. A triangle may be used if available.

3. Using knee height calipers, open the caliper and place the fixed part under the heel. Place the sliding blade down against the thigh (approximately 2 inches behind the patella).

4. Measure from the heel to the anterior surface of the thigh, using a cloth measuring tape.

5. Obtain the measurement and convert it to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54.

6. Formulas to use to calculate estimated height from knee height:

Predicting Stature From Knee Height: Recommended Equations for Predicting Stature from Knee Height in Adults (18 to 60 years) and Children (6 to 18 years)

Group	Equations
White men	Stature = 71.85 + (1.88 knee height)
	R² = 0.65; RMSE = 3.97; SEI = 3.97 cm; CV = 2.28
Black men	Stature = 73.42 + (1.79 knee height)
	R² = 0.69; RMSE = 3.60; SEI = 3.60 cm; CV = 2.08
White women	Stature = 70.25 + (1.87 knee height) − (0.06 age)
	R² = 0.66; RMSE = 3.60; SEI = 3.60 cm; CV = 2.23
Black women	Stature = 68.10 + (1.86 knee height) − (0.06 age)
	R² = 0.69; RMSE = 3.80; SEI = 3.80 cm; CV = 2.36
White boys	Stature = 40.54 + (2.22 knee height)
	R² = 0.96; RMSE = 4.16; SEI = 4.21 cm; CV = 2.79
Black boys	Stature = 39.60 + (2.18 knee height)
	R² 50.95; RMSE = 4.44; SEI = 4.58 cm; CV = 2.99
White girls	Stature = 43.21 + (2.15 knee height)
	R² = 0.95; RMSE = 3.84; SEI = 3.90 cm; CV = 2.63
Black girls	Stature = 46.59 + (2.02 knee height)
	R² = 0.94; RMSE = 4.25; SEI = 4.39 cm; CV = 2.91

CV, Coefficient of variation; RMSE, root mean square error; SEI, standard error for an individual.

Data from Chumlea WC et al: Nutritional assessment of the elderly through anthropometry, Columbus, OH, 1984, Ross Laboratories.