The arm circumference as a public health index of protein-calorie malnutrition of early childhood
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 15(4): 177-260
1969
ISSN/ISBN: 0267-0593 PMID: 5309233 Document Number: 512015
20. Results are summarised for the other papers of this series. It is agreed that the arm circumference is of use as a public health index of protein-calorie malnutrition. It can be used in field surveys as a rapid and economical method that is easily taught for communities where the age of the child is not known precisely or, with biceps and triceps skin-fold thickness, to assess stores of protein and energy, or as part of a possible composite anthropometric index of malnutrition. Results and standards obtained for arm circumference from workers over the world are not comparaable. It is necessary to measure statistically adequate samples of normal children from different ethnic groups in different parts of the world and to prepare standards for particular communities, for local use and for comparison with standards elsewhere. Meanwhile the modified Wolanski values for each year for 1 to 5 years of age may be used as standards for comparison, or in some cases it may suffice to use one standard for all children aged 1 to 4 years.