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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Typical Anthropometric Measurements
Scientific Research
Anthropometric measurements are valuable in scientific research because, if recorded using standardized methods, they are objective and not prone to the perceptions or opinions of the scientists involved.
In longitudinal studies, certain basic measurements like waist circumference can revealrisk factorsforage-related illnesseslikeheart diseaseor cancer.
Ergonomics Design and Industry
In industrial applications like ergonomics, anthropometric measurements help manufacturers create furniture that is tailored to the human body.
In automotive design, anthropometry involves taking standard measurements for average adult drivers to test cars and other vehicles for the effectiveness of their safety systems.
Ongoing measurements are needed as populations change in height, weight, and other dimensions. As a population gets taller overall, as often happens with better nutrition, the items used in everyday life must be able to accommodate taller people.
Similarly, as the population includes more and more people who are overweight or excessively overweight, designs for everything from clothing to chairs to average weight capacity of elevators may need to be adjusted.
If childhood weight trends rise, items for children need to include the consideration that more of them may be overweight. Some populations of children have earlier growth spurts and puberty, which needs to be a consideration when designing for those age groups.
Anthropometric Databases
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gordon CC, Blackwell CL, Bradtmiller B, et al.2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics. Report Number NATICK/TR-15/007. U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center. December 2014.National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 18, 2018.Robinette KM, Blackwell S, Daanen H, et al.Civilian American And European Surface Anthropometry Resource (Caesar). Final Report, Volume I. United States Air Force Research Laboratory. June 2002.Additional ReadingGoh LG, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, Lee AH, Della PR. “Ethnicity and the Association Between Anthropometric Indices of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.BMJ Open. 2014;4(5):e004702. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-00470
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gordon CC, Blackwell CL, Bradtmiller B, et al.2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics. Report Number NATICK/TR-15/007. U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center. December 2014.National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 18, 2018.Robinette KM, Blackwell S, Daanen H, et al.Civilian American And European Surface Anthropometry Resource (Caesar). Final Report, Volume I. United States Air Force Research Laboratory. June 2002.Additional ReadingGoh LG, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, Lee AH, Della PR. “Ethnicity and the Association Between Anthropometric Indices of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.BMJ Open. 2014;4(5):e004702. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-00470
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gordon CC, Blackwell CL, Bradtmiller B, et al.2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics. Report Number NATICK/TR-15/007. U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center. December 2014.National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 18, 2018.Robinette KM, Blackwell S, Daanen H, et al.Civilian American And European Surface Anthropometry Resource (Caesar). Final Report, Volume I. United States Air Force Research Laboratory. June 2002.
Gordon CC, Blackwell CL, Bradtmiller B, et al.2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics. Report Number NATICK/TR-15/007. U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center. December 2014.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 18, 2018.
Robinette KM, Blackwell S, Daanen H, et al.Civilian American And European Surface Anthropometry Resource (Caesar). Final Report, Volume I. United States Air Force Research Laboratory. June 2002.
Goh LG, Dhaliwal SS, Welborn TA, Lee AH, Della PR. “Ethnicity and the Association Between Anthropometric Indices of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.BMJ Open. 2014;4(5):e004702. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-00470
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