Comparing Anthropometric Measurements in Determining Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: In the current literature, there are many studies that include different measurement methods and different statistical analyzes in determining obesity in children. The aim of this study is to review the anthropometric measurement methods used to measure obesity in children.Method: A systematic review was completed for studies of anthropometric measurement methods used to measure obesity in children. The databases Pubmed/Medline and Google Scholar were searched. Methodological quality of studies was examined using the modified Downs and Black checklist. Subsequently, important findings were synthesized.Results: Twenty four studies published between the years 2006-2020 were included in the review. Sample sizes varied between 30 and 23043 participants. The age range of the participants varied between 2-18 years. In 87.5% of the studies (n=21), Body Mass Index (BMI) was used as the measurement method and the performance of BMI was compared with other anthropometric measurement methods. Waist circumference (n=16), waist-hip ratio (n=13) and arm circumference measurements (n=8) are the most common used methods.Conclusion: BMI score is seen as the gold standard in comparison of anthropometric measurements used to evaluate the obesity and overweight status of the child population. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio are the most commonly used and effective tools for measuring obesity and overweight in children when more accurate techniques such as Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Air-Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) are unfeasible.