Anthropometric parameters to estimate body frame size in children and adolescents: A systematic review

To determine the most frequently body frame size (BFS) measurement and to compare the cut-off values used for classifying body size in children and adolescents.

This systematic review focused on primary studies and scientific reports published in Medline Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, or Scopus between January 1, 2007 and March 31, 2021. Eligible studies must have included at least one BFS parameter measured in healthy children or adolescents. A descriptive analysis and graphic comparison were performed when values of the body frame were available.

A total of 26 studies involving 317 202 children and adolescents from all over the world were included. The report of Frame index predominated (46%). It was followed by the biacromial diameter single or combined with the bitrochanteric and biiliocristal diameter (27%), the wrist circumference (19%), and the grant index (12%). Fourteen studies reported percentile values of the BFS measurement, but only four presented cut-off values.

There was no unified BFS measurement in children and adolescents neither reference cut-off values for categorization. The Frame index was the most frequently used. It is difficult to compare BFS statistics due to the diversity of measurements. It is necessary to standardize the use of the methods for measuring BFS.