Aplicabilidade dos diferentes métodos de estimativa de estatura em adolescentes

Applicability of different methods of estimative of stature in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the validity of the different methods of estimative in adolescents’ height. Methods: The sample
consisted of 53 adolescents of both sexes, aged from 12 to 18 years. To analyze the different methods of height estimative,
data were collected on weight, height, recumbent height, knee height, arm span and half-arm span. Body mass index
(BMI) and caloric needs were also calculated both, in the use of estimated and checked heights. Results: The method of
recumbent height showed the best correlation with the checked height (r = 0.98). The analysis of the nutritional condition
showed good to excellent degree of concordance to all methods, except to knee height (kappa = 0.27). The knee height
underestimated the low weight diagnostic and overestimated overweight and obesity. The recumbent height was the
method that resulted in more reliable nutritional diagnoses. Regarding the use of estimated height in the calculation
of the Energetic Total Value (ETV), the recumbent height stood out once again. The knee height method was the only one presenting a signifi cant difference (p<0.05) in relation to the real height and ETV. Conclusion: The more adequate
estimative method of height in adolescents was the recumbent length one. It was also verifi ed that the arm span and half
arm span results were satisfactory, showing a good degree of concordance when used to classify the nutritional condition.