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Discussion and Demonstration

of Nutritional Assessment

GRETCHEN N. QUIÑONES

Nutritionist Dietitian II

Supplementary Feeding Program

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Weighing a Child

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  • Weight gain in children is an indicator of growth.
  • The most common method of measuring growth, especially among children is through weighing.

Growth

A

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Weighing hanging scale with weighing pants

Kinds of Weighing Scales

Beam Balance

Infant Beam Balance

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Proper Handling�of Hanging Weighing Scale

Hooks complete and in good condition

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Proper Handling�of Hanging Weighing Scale

Needle or pointer moving freely

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Proper Handling�of Hanging Weighing Scale

Adjustment screw working

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Proper Handling�of Hanging Weighing Scale

Weighing pants clean and without

a tear

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Proper Handling�of Hanging Weighing Scale

Rope, strong, long enough, and tied well

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  • Act of checking and adjusting the weighing scale within the possible and allowable error.

​

  • It is important to:
    • make sure that the scale is within tolerable limits of accuracy
    • detect deterioration beyond the tolerable levels of accuracy

Calibration

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Hang the scale from a tree branch, ceiling beam or pole.

Attach the empty weighing pants to the hook of the scale, adjust the scale to zero, and then remove it from the scale.

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Check if the face or dial of the scale is at eye level, not lower or higher.

Check if the child is barefoot, in minimum clothing, and with empty pockets.

​

Ask the mother or someone to hold the child.

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Put the measurer’s hands through leg holes.�

Gently pull legs through the leg holes making sure that the strap is in front of the child.

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Put arms around the child and attach the strap of the basket/sling to the hook of the scale and allow the child to hang freely.

​

Check the child’s position.

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Make sure the child is not touching anything.

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Hold the scale and read the weight at eye level to the nearest 0.1kg.

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Read the measurement when the scale needle is not moving and record data.

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Proper Use of Hanging Weighing Scale

Put arms around the child and gently lift the child by the body. �

Remove the strap from the scale.

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Place the platform scale firmly on a level surface.

 

Let the child stand at the center of the scale platform without touching anything, barefoot in light/minimum clothing, with empty pockets.

 

Use of Beam Balance

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Use of Beam Balance

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Maintenance

Process of always keeping the weighing scale in good operating condition including:

  • simple housekeeping measures
  • lubrication
  • corrosion control
  • servicing
  • repair (replacement of worn-out parts) storage and handling
  • record keeping

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Getting Height

of the Child

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Place the measuring board on a hard flat surface against a wall, table, tree, staircase, etc.

​

Make sure the board is not moving.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Remove the child’s shoes and accessories that would interfere with height measurement.

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Ask her to walk the child to the board and to kneel in front of the child.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. The assistant of the measurer will kneel with both knees on the right side of the child.
  2. The measurer will kneel on her/his right knee on the child’s left side. This will give the measurer maximum mobility.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Place the child’s feet flat and together in the center of and against the back and base of the board/wall.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  • Place your right hand just above the child’s ankles on the shins, your left hand on the child’s knees and push against the board/wall.

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Make sure the child’s legs are straight and heels and calves are against the board/wall.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Tell the child to look straight ahead at the mother who should stand in front of the child.

Make sure the child’s line of sight is level with the ground.

Place your open left hand under the child’s chin.

Gradually close your hand.

Do not cover the child’s mouth or ears.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  • Make sure the shoulders are level, hands are at the child’s side, and head, shoulder blades and buttocks are against the board/wall.

With your right hand, lower the headpiece on top of the child’s head, making sure the headpiece pushes through the child’s hair.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Check the child’s position.

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Repeat any steps as necessary.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. When the child’s position is correct, read and call out the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm.

Remove the headpiece from the child’s head and your left hand from the child’s chin.

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Proper Use�of Height Board

  1. Immediately record the measurement and show it to the measurer.

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Proper Use�of

Height Board

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  • If a child less than 2 years old will not lie down for measurement of length, measure standing height and add 0.7cm to convert it to length (CGS)  

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  • If a child aged 2 years or older cannot stand, measure the recumbent length and subtract 0.7 cm to convert it to height. (CGS )

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Key Points

  • Use a well-maintained measuring tools

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  • Apply correct weighing techniques to arrive at the correct weight data

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