An evaluation of upper arm measurements used in nutritional assessment

Triceps skinfold thickness and upper arm circumference (parameters used in assessing protein-calorie malnutrition) were measured on both arms of 91 adult volunteers who fulfilled criteria for absence of disease and conditions affecting nutritional status. For the total study group and subgroups of men only and women only, no significant differences were noted between right and left arm measurements of triceps skinfold thickness, arm circumference, or arm muscle circumference. Median values for significant right-left arm measurement differences were + 1.7 mm for the triceps skinfold thickness of left-handed subjects (P less than 0.05) and + 0.3 cm for the arm circumference of volunteers regularly engaged in predominately right-armed activities (P less than 0.05). Criteria of weight within 15% of "ideal" and nine serum and plasma values within a specified range were fulfilled by 77 subjects, and they comprised the "healthy" subgroup. Left arm median values for healthy men and healthy women differed from a currently accepted standard for each of three anthropometric parameters: triceps skinfold thickness (P less than 0.05), arm circumference (P less than 0.05), and arm muscle circumference (P less than 0.01).