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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Problems Using Body Mass Index (BMI) to Assess Mortality
None:
There is increasing unease in the medical community about using the predictive value of the body measurement index (BMI) as a guide to an individual's current and future health. Elevated BMIs are evaluated by life and disability underwriters as part of a comprehensive review, but other than verifying overweight status, the predictive value of BMI on future morbidity and mortality is questionable until the BMI is >35, and several studies have shown better mortality in the "overweight" BMI 25-29.9 category than in the "normal" BMI 18.5-24.9 category. The goal of this treatise is to evaluate other anthropomorphic measurements that might be better predictors of future health.
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Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.

