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. 2010 Nov-Dec;25(6):1053-6.

Intraobserver error associated with anthropometric measurements made by dietitians

Affiliations
  • PMID: 21519782

Intraobserver error associated with anthropometric measurements made by dietitians

M Arroyo et al. Nutr Hosp. 2010 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Although dietitians play an important role in the anthropometric assessment, reports on measurements made by these health professionals rarely include estimates of measurement error.

Aim: To estimate of intraobserver precision for three common anthropometric measurements made by dietitians.

Methods: Twenty six measurers performed measurements (upper mid-arm circumference, tricipital and bicipital skinfold) in two times a sample of ten volunteers. Four precision estimates were calculated: the technical error of measurement (TEM), the relative technical error of measurement (rTEM), the coefficient of reliability (R) and the coefficient of variation (CV).

Results: For skinfold thickness, rTEM was smaller than 2.2; for circumference, rTEM was smaller than 0.6. The precision to measure skinfolds was lower than the precision to circumference. Anyway, for all measurements R showed a high degree of precision (R > 95).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that anthropometric parameters evaluated are sufficiently precise. However, periodical training is necessary to control and minimize the anthropometric measurement error.

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