Diurnal height variation in children

Strickland, Alva L.; Shearin, Robert

doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(72)80018-0

Cited by 49 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…9 MRI studies have since confirmed that the diurnal variation in stature primarily results from increases in water content in the soft central portion of the intervertebral discs (nucleus pulposus) while at rest and water loss while standing or during other weight-bearing activities. 10 For children, one can expect a mean height difference of ϳ1.5 cm (SD: 0.46 cm) between rising and late afternoon, 11 with most of the change probably occurring during the first 2 to 3 hours of the day. 12 In practice, it is helpful to understand the expected diurnal variation in child height but probably impractical to try to time height measurements to accommodate it, unless one is engaged in a rigorous research protocol that requires serial measurements on a small number of individual children.…”

Section: Measurement Errors Due To Child Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of Accurately Measuring and Using BMI and Other Indicators of Obesity in Children

2009

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BMI is an important indicator of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. When measurements are taken carefully and compared with appropriate growth charts and recommended cutoffs, BMI provides an excellent indicator of overweight and obesity that is sufficient for most clinical, screening, and surveillance purposes. Accurate measurements of height and weight require that adequate attention be given to data collection and management. Choosing appropriate equipment and measurement protocols and providing regular training and standardization of data collectors are critical aspects that apply to all settings in which BMI will be measured and used. Proxy measures for directly measured BMI, such as self-reports or parental reports of height and weight, are much less preferred and should only be used with caution and cognizance of the limitations, biases, and uncertainties attending these measures. There is little evidence that other measures of body fat such as skinfolds, waist circumference, or bioelectrical impedance are sufficiently practicable or provide appreciable added information to be used in the identification of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. Consequently, for most clinical, school, or community settings these measures are not recommended for routine practice. These alternative measures of fatness remain important for research and perhaps in some specialized screening situations that include a specific focus on risk factors for cardiovascular or diabetic disease. ]) has probably become the most common indicator used to assess overweight and obesity in a wide variety of settings, including clinical, public health, and community-based programs. Although it is certainly not a perfect surrogate for total body fatness and not without its technical limitations, 1 BMI has been recommended as the most appropriate single indicator of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents outside of research settings. [2][3][4] One of the attractive features of BMI is that it is derived from measurements of height and weight. These 2 anthropometric dimensions are the ones most commonly collected on children worldwide. These 2 measurements are noninvasive, relatively inexpensive to obtain, and relatively easily understood by health practitioners, the individuals being measured, and their families.Mentioning child measurements of height and weight, individuals may be reminded of their own marks on the door sills and the bathroom scales of their childhood homes. So, although wide familiarity with height and weight enhances the use and understanding of a measure such as BMI, it also may desensitize health professionals to the need to give adequate attention to issues concerning how height and weight data are collected. Accordingly, one may hear the comment, "Anyone can measure height and weight." Although one must actually agree with the language, if not the intent, of this easy declaration, many health professionals are unaware that there are consequences for the usefulness and ac...

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Section: Measurement Errors Due To Child Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of Accurately Measuring and Using BMI and Other Indicators of Obesity in Children

2009

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“…14 Almost all reports agree that the greater proportion of the decrease in stature appears to occur soon after rising,6 9 10 12 though it is assumed that, without a nap, further loss continues throughout the day.…”

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Diurnal variation in stature: is stretching the answer?

Voss

Bailey

1997

Archives of Disease in Childhood

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Aims-To investigate the extent and timing of diurnal variation in stature and to examine the eVectiveness of the stretched technique in reducing the loss in height. Setting-A Southampton school. Design-Fifty three children, divided into two groups, were measured by two independent auxologists using a Leicester height measure. Each child was measured four times, at 0900, 1100, 1300, and 1500, using both an unstretched and a stretched technique. Outcome measures-Height loss after each of the three time intervals for both unstretched and stretched modes. Results-There was a clear decrease in stature during the morning, but no further loss occurred after the subjects had been up for around six hours. The mean height losses for the unstretched (stretched) modes were 0.31 cm (0.34 cm) and 0.20 cm (0.23 cm) for the periods 0900 to 1100 and 1100 to 1300, respectively, but only 0.045 cm (-0.019 cm) from 1300 to 1500. Stretching did not reduce the eVects of diurnal variation, but significantly aVected the recorded height by an average of 0.28 cm. There was no significant diVerence in reproducibility using either technique (SD 0.30 cm stretched v 0.31 cm unstretched). Conclusions-Diurnal variation in stature may substantially aVect the reliability of height data and careful consideration should be given to the timing of repeat measurements. As most height loss occurs in the morning, afternoon clinic appointments would be preferable. The standard stretched technique does not appear to reduce diurnal variation, nor does it affect precision. Measurements made using an unstretched method are recommended to avoid interobserver diVerences, known to occur where diVerent observers are used.

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“…[5,6] Büyüme ve geliflme; genetik, hormonal ve çevresel faktörlerin etkisinde seyreden, invaziv olmayan antropometrik ölçümlerle do¤rudan ve dolayl› izlenebilen bir sü-reçtir. [3] Belirtilen etkenler, co¤rafi sosyo-ekonomik farkl›l›klar, toplumlar aras›nda ya da ayn› toplumun bireyleri aras›nda farkl›l›klara yol açabilir.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

The anthropometric measuring methods for monitoring growth and development: the methodology of growth follow-up

Mazıcıoğlu¹

2011

Turk Aile Hek Derg

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Diurnal height variation in children

Cited by 49 publications

References 2 publications

Challenges of Accurately Measuring and Using BMI and Other Indicators of Obesity in Children

Challenges of Accurately Measuring and Using BMI and Other Indicators of Obesity in Children

Diurnal variation in stature: is stretching the answer?

The anthropometric measuring methods for monitoring growth and development: the methodology of growth follow-up

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