Intraobserver error associated with anthropometric measurements made by dietitians.

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.