Anthropometric measurements are those that characterize human body dimensions (size and shape).
These measurements are primarily of bone, muscle, and adipose tissue (fat).
The word combines the Greek root wordsanthropos(human) andmetron(measure).
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In longitudinal studies, certain basic measurements like waist circumference can revealrisk factorsforage-related illnesseslikeheart diseaseor cancer.
Ongoing measurements are needed as populations change in height, weight, and other dimensions.
Anthropometric Databases
There are many databases of anthropometric data that has accumulated over years to decades.
Originally, these were often collected by the military.
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Final Report, Volume I.
United States Air Force Research Laboratory.
2014 May 22;4(5):e004702.
