Anthropometric Data Measurement Research Articles

Development of Malaysian Primary School Children Anthropometrics Data for Designing School Furniture Parameters

This paper explains the measurement of anthropometricdimensions ofprimary school children and investigation ofrisk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among primary school children. A total of 266 students within three different schools were participated in anthropometric data measurements and questionnaire survey of the MSDs prevelance complain among them. Ten anthropometric measurements (Stature, Sitting height, Sitting shoulder height, Popliteal height, Hip breadth, Elbow seat height, Buttock-popliteal length, Buttock-knee length, Thigh clearance and Weight) were used. Martin type anthropometer set, height scale and weighing scale were used as a direct measurement method for the data collection on this study. Musculoskeletal symptoms were recorded using Modified Nordic Body Map Questionnaires. In addition Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the awkward posture of the school children for both designs. The results of the proposed furniture shows a better RULA final score for each group of muscles which give a score ranging from only 1 to 2 (Acceptable Posture) compared to the existing furniture that need further investigation. This anthropometrics data is very useful to the furniture manufacturer in designing school furniture in order to reduce the mismatch between furniture designed and Malaysian primary school children.

A Study on Ergonomic Workstations for Standing Operators at a Manufacturing Factory in Malaysia

Ergonomically designed workstation is vital towards improving health and safety of operators. This study was carried out at the assembly department to assess female operators effectiveness at standing workstations during assembling different components and parts for making electronic product in a manufacturing factory. Long working hours with static standing postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The study main objectives are to assess, identify risks and body parts complaints with respect to standing workstation. The methodology use in this study includes anthropometric data measurements of female operators, standing risk assessment and body parts symptoms survey. One hundred female operators working at standing workstations took part in the study. This study revealed three major types of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) observed in this factory, they are pain at the shoulder region, pain at the leg region and pain at the upper back region. Based on the findings from this study, the authors have proposed a standing workstation designs that overcome the MSDs.

Oral health and the impact of socio-behavioural factors in a cross sectional survey of 12-year old school children in Laos

BackgroundIn recent decades low-income countries experienced an increasing trend in dental caries among children, particularly recorded in 12-year olds, which is the principal WHO indicator age group for children. This increases the risks of negative affects on children's life. Some data exist on the oral health status of children in low-income countries of Southeast Asia. However, information on how oral health is associated with socio-behavioural factors is almost not available. The aims of this study were to: assess the level of oral health of Lao 12-year-olds in urban and semi-urban settings; study the impact of poor oral health on quality of life; analyse the association between oral health and socio-behavioural factors; investigate the relation between obesity and oral health.MethodsA cross sectional study of 12-year old schoolchildren chosen by multistage random sampling in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R (hereafter Laos). The final study population comprised 621 children. The study consisted of: clinical registration of caries and periodontal status, and scores for dental trauma according to WHO; structured questionnaire; measurement of anthropometric data. Frequency distributions for bi-variate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were used for assessment of statistical association between variables.ResultsMean DMFT was 1.8 (SEM = 0.09) while caries prevalence was 56% (CI95 = 52-60). Prevalence of gingival bleeding was 99% (CI95 = 98-100) with 47% (CI95 = 45-49) of present teeth affected. Trauma was observed in 7% (CI95 = 5-9) of the children. High decay was seen in children with dental visits and frequent consumption of sweet drinks. Missed school classes, tooth ache and several impairments of daily life activities were associated with a high dD-component. No associations were found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and oral health or common risk factors. The multivariate analyses revealed high risk for caries for children with low or moderate attitude towards health, a history of dental visits and a preference for drinking sugary drinks during school hours. Low risk was found for children with good or average perception of own oral health. High risk for gingival bleeding was seen in semi-urban children and boys.ConclusionAlthough the caries level is low it causes considerable negative impact on daily life. School based health promotion should be implemented focussing on skills based learning and attitudes towards health.

Insulin resistance and ferritin as major determinants of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in apparently healthy obese patients.

The aims of this study were to test the possible association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and iron and insulin resistance, and to determine the prevalence of NAFLD in apparently healthy obese subjects. Cross-sectional, clinical epidemiologic study. A total of 210 apparently healthy obese patients, aged from 18 to 65 y, with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 kg/m2 or more, were enrolled in a body weight reduction program in our hospital. All the subjects underwent screening and preprogram examinations, including anthropometric data measurements, biochemistry testing, and ultrasonography of the liver. NAFLD was defined as fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonography plus persistent elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Of the 210 patients, 80% (168/210) had fatty liver. Persistent ALT elevation in two separate tests was further detected in 25.6% (43/168) of patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed waist circumference and insulin resistance to be independently associated with fatty liver. Serum ferritin level and insulin resistance were two major risk factors predicting NAFLD. The prevalence of NAFLD was 20.5% (43/210) in obese patients. As both hyperinsulinemia induced by insulin resistance and iron overload represented by ferritin elevation might damage hepatocytes, we concluded that these two factors were significantly associated with NAFLD in obese patients.\

Development of an Automated Anthropometric Data Measurement System (AADMS)

Due to the limited space available in modern cockpits and crewstations, certain critical anthropometric features of an aviator must be measured properly. Unreasonable and erroneous anthropometric values are sometimes recorded because of measuring and operator errors. The purpose of the Automated Anthropometric Data Measurement System (AADMS - pronounced ADAMS) is to reliably and accurately measure anthropometric features in a timely and efficient manner and to eliminate the source of many of these errors. AADMS utilizes a microcomputer interfaced to a variety of position sensors and transducers to gather and internally verify data on 11 anthropometric parameters.