Evaluation of factors affecting nutritional assessment based on anthropometric data of Chinese undergoing health screening in Taiwan

This study is aimed at the establishment of anthropometric data in normal Chinese undergoing health screening in Taiwan, in order to provide reference values for nutritional assessment and to compare them with those standard values of the Western population. Seven hundred and thirty-two Chinese who underwent health screening in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou (1981-1984) and at Kaohsiung (1986-1988) were enrolled in the study. These included 394 male Chinese and 338 female Chinese whom were considered normal in nutritional status and who did not have diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, malignancy, liver and renal disorders, as well as those with hypoalbuminemia of unknown etiology. The following parameters were examined: body height (BH), body weight (BW), triceps skin fold (TSF), midarm circumference (MAC), midarm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum albumin and total lymphocyte count (TLC). The results revealed that: (1.) Besides a lower BH and BW, the 50th percentile for TSF in female Chinese fell between 50th-25th percentile of the Western women. As for the males, the Chinese fell below 50th percentile for TSF of the Western population of the same age and sex groups; (2.) The 50th percentile for MAMC in Chinese of both sexes fell below the 25th percentile of the Western population of the same age and sex groups; (3.) Aside from normal ranges, the serum albumin level decreased significantly with increasing age. Such a change was not found in TLC. This study stressed the difference in anthropometric data in terms of race and age and the importance of assessing patients' nutritional status by making reference to the standard value of their pertinent population and age group.