The insertion tape: a new circumference tape for use in nutritional assessment.

Certain body circumferences, such as the mid-upper arm circumference, are regarded as useful indicators of the nutritional status of children. The insertion tape is designed to reduce errors of measurement, prone to occur with the present tapes. At the widened origin of the new tape is a narrow slot perpendicular to the tape's long axis. The measurer threads the distal end of the tape though this slot, tightens to the required tension around the circumference and reads from an open window near the slot. Modifications of the basic tape for specific uses of measurement, screening and survey, are described.