Berkhout A M, Cools H J, Mulder J D
Verpleeghuisartsen Verpleeghuis De Bieslandhof, Delft.
Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 1989 Oct;20(5):211-4.
Measurement of body height of elderly persons can be difficult or impossible because of inability to stand or inability to stand in the right position. In seventy-five percent of elderly patients of a nursing home (n = 281) height could not be measured. Measurement of the height in a recumbent position was possible in fifty-five percent of the patients and measurement of arm span, used as a substitute for height, in sixty percent. Knee height could be measured in 95% of the patients; height can however roughly be estimated from knee height. Indices reflecting nutritional status, which require height as a variable (such as Quetelet Index), are of limited use for elderly patients in nursing homes.
由于无法站立或无法以正确姿势站立，测量老年人的身高可能会很困难甚至无法进行。在一家养老院的281名老年患者中，75%的患者无法测量身高。55%的患者可以测量卧位身高，60%的患者可以测量臂展（用作身高的替代指标）。95%的患者可以测量膝高；然而，身高可以根据膝高大致估算出来。反映营养状况的指标（如奎特利指数）需要将身高作为变量，对养老院的老年患者用途有限。
