Table 2 Details on method of measurements and limitations of the included studies
Author | Data collection year(s) | Height measure | Weight measure | Method of measurement | Measurement personnel | Limitations^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nationally based data | ||||||
Whelton et al. [21] | 2001-2002 | Leicester portable height measure | Soehnle 7403 Mediscale | Height was measured to the nearest 1 decimal point in centimetres (cm) and weight to the nearest 1 decimal point in kilograms (kg). Shoes, heavy clothing and headgear were removed for measures | Trained researchers took measures using a standard protocol | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
O’Neill et al. [22] | 2003-2004 | SECA Leicester height measure | SECA 770 digital weight scales | Height was measured in the Frankfurt plane position to the last complete millimetre (mm) and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Light indoor clothing was worn for measures without shoes, hair ornaments, pony tails undone and empty pockets | Qualified nutritionists took measures | Response rate not adequate, no information given on non-responders and methods to reduce observer bias not outlined |
Layte & McCrory, [23] | 2007-2008 | Leicester portable height measure | SECA 761 flat mechanic scales | Height was measured to the nearest mm and weight to the nearest 0.5 kg. Light clothing was worn for measures | Trained researchers took measures | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders** |
Heavey et al. [12] | 2008 | SECA 214 portable stadiometer | SECA 872 weighing scales | Height was measured to the last complete mm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Light indoor clothing was worn for measures without shoes, hair ornaments, pony tails undone and empty pockets | Trained researchers took measures using a standard protocol | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
Heinen et al. [14] | 2010 | SECA 214 portable stadiometer | SECA 872 weighing scales | Height was measured to the last complete mm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Light indoor clothing was worn for measures without shoes, hair ornaments, pony tails undone and empty pockets | Trained researchers took measures using a standard protocol | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
Heinen et al. [14] | 2012 | Leicester height measure | HD-305 Tanita weighing scales | Height was measured to the last complete mm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Light indoor clothing was worn for measures without shoes, hair ornaments, pony tails undone and empty pockets | Trained researchers took measures using a standard protocol | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
Regionally based data | ||||||
McMaster et al. [24] | 2001-2002 | Leicester height measure | Hansen digital weight scales | Height measured to the nearest 0.5 cm and weight to the nearest 500 g. Light clothing was worn for measures without shoes, jackets and headgear | Two school nurses took measures using a standard protocol | No information given on non-responders |
Harrison et al. [25] | 2003 | Seca Leicester height measure | Seca digital floor scales | Children wore light clothing, without shoes for measures | Researchers were trained in anthropometry | Sampling method unclear, no information given on non-responders and not enough detail provided on method of measurement |
Evans et al. [26] | 2004-2007 | Leicester height measure | Tanita solar weight scales | Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and weight to nearest 0.1 kg using a standard protocol [33] | Trained public health nurses took measures. Intra-observer variability was measured | No information given on non-responders |
Barron et al. [27] | 2007 | Leicester height measure | Tanita WB-100 digital medical weighing scales | Children wore tracksuits, without shoes for measures | One qualified paediatric nurse took all measures | Sampling method used not clear, no information given on non-responders and not enough detail provided on method of measurement |
Murrin et al. [28] | 2007-2008 | Leicester height measure | Tanita digital weight scales model HD305 | Height was measured to the nearest 1 cm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. A standard protocol was used | Trained researchers took measures using standard procedures | Response rate not adequate |
Belton et al. [30] | 2008 | SECA Leicester height measure | SECA heavy duty scales | No details given | No details given | Sampling method unclear, no information given on non-responders, height and weight measurements methods used not described, inadequate detail on equipment used and efforts to reduce observer bias not stated |
Fitzgerald, 2010 [31] | 2008-2009 | Leicester height measure | Seca 899 weight scales | Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm in the Frankfurt plane position and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Measures were taken without heavy clothing and shoes | Standard procedures were used. Intra observer variability was tested | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
HSE Meath, 2009 (unpublished observations) | 2009 | Leicester height measure | Soehnle 7403 Mediscale | Height was measured in the Frankfurt plane position to the nearest 1 decimal point in cm and weight to the nearest 1 decimal point in kg. Measures were taken without shoes and without excessive clothing | Researchers trained prior to data collection. Inter examiner agreement was tested | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |
Hollywood et al. [32] | 2009 | SECA Leicester portable height measure | SECA 875 digital flat scales | Height was measured in the Frankfurt plane position. Measures were taken in stockings without heavy outdoor clothing | One trained children’s nurse took all the measures | Sampling method unclear, response rate not adequate, no information given on non-responders and not enough detail provided on method of measurement |
Keane et al. 2013 (unpublished observations) | 2012-2013 | Leicester portable height measure | Tanita WB100MA mechanic scales | Height was measured in the Frankfurt plane position to the nearest mm and weight to the nearest 0.1 kg. Measures were taken without shoes and in light clothing | Trained researchers took measures using standard procedures | Response rate not adequate and no information given on non-responders |