antropometria

Antropometría, or anthropometry in English, is the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body. It involves collecting data on size, shape, and composition and analyzing how these characteristics vary across individuals, groups, and populations, as well as how they change with age.

Historically, antropometría emerged in the 19th century with statisticians like Adolphe Quetelet, who used measurements to describe populations. Over time it has been applied in areas such as garment manufacturing, ergonomics, sports science, clinical assessment, and forensic anthropology.

Common measurements include stature, body mass, sitting height, limb lengths, circumferences, skinfold thicknesses, and bone breadths. Methods range from traditional direct measurements with calipers and tape to modern 3D body scanning and imaging techniques. Standardized protocols and measurement sites aim to improve reliability and enable comparisons. Kinanthropometry is a subfield combining body size, proportion, and composition, often using skinfolds and girths to estimate fat and lean mass.

Applications include product and workplace design, apparel sizing, safety equipment fit, athletic performance analysis, nutrition and growth monitoring, clinical assessment of malnutrition or obesity, and forensic identification. Growth reference charts and percentile norms are used to evaluate development in pediatric populations.

Standards and ethics: measurement practices follow standardized protocols to ensure accuracy and comparability. Data privacy and respectful handling of sensitive information are emphasized. Organizations such as the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) promote training and standardization; WHO and other agencies provide growth references; ISO has standards related to measurement practice in some contexts.