Anthropometric Tools
Tools for the measurement of circumference, breadth, thickness are included in a category of measurement tools referred to as “anthropometrics”. In conjunction with height and weight scales, anthropometric tools are used to assess certain health parameters as well as growth, development, body types, ergonomic considerations, and even statistical data for clothing manufacturers looking to optimize the look and feel of their products.
Health Measurements
Circumference of an individual’s abdominal region is a measurement of visceral fat deposition, and the comparison of waist-to-hip ratio is another method of assessing abdominal body fat and associated health risk. Individuals with excess abdominal fat, especially intra-abdominal fat, are at increased risk of for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, some cancers, and premature death from all causes. These diseases are collectively classified as cardiometabolic diseases.
- Body mass index (BMI) values between 18.5-24.9 are considered healthy. BMI values between 25.0-29.9 are considered to be “overweight” and at high risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases, and BMI values greater than 30.0 are considered to be “obese” and at very high risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases.
- Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men, and 35 inches for women, are associated with increased risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases.
- Waist-to-hip circumference ratios that are .86 or higher for women, and 1.0 or higher for men are associated with high risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases.
Anthropometric Tools
The tools used to measure anthropometrics include:
- Breadth calipers
- Skinfold calipers
- Soft metric tape measures
- Circumference gauges
- Volume gauges
ProhealthcareProducts.com carries a variety of anthropometric measurement tools for healthcare assessment and growth and development evaluation.