Module 3B
Anthropometric
Measurements: Weight
Module 3B
Digital Scale
Module 3B
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
Calibrate a digital scale.
Measure a child’s weight using a digital scale.
Module 3B
Clothes
All children will be weighed without clothes.
Very important that all teams consistently
weigh children the same way.
Module 3B
Discussion
1. For our survey, what are the rare occasions
that a child could NOT be weighed without
clothes?
2. For the rare occasions that a child cannot be
weighed without clothes, let us agree on the
type of clothes that will be allowed to be
worn while a child is being weighed.
Module 3B
Calibration of Digital Scale
Digital Scale – EVERY DAY
Calibrate each scale with a
standard 2-5 kg weight.
Module 3B
Wooden
board Module 3B
Digital Scale Setup
Place the scale on a hard and flat surface, if possible.
E.g., concrete, solid ground, wooden board, but NOT on
the height board.
Place the scale in the shade or indoors, if possible.
If the scale overheats and does not work properly, move it
to a cooler place and wait 15 minutes before trying again.
Handle the scale with care and protect it from excess
humidity.
Ensure that the batteries are working before going to
the field and carry a spare set.
Module 3B
Measuring Weight: Digital Scale
Two methods of measuring a child using an electronic scale:
1. Direct: Measure the child by themselves.
Children able to stand up can be weighed by standing
on the scale.
2. Indirect: Measuring the child in the arms of a caretaker
(aka “double weighing”).
Babies/young children unable to stand on their own.
Children who are too weak to stand on their own.
Children who are disabled.
Children who are restless and can’t stand still.
Module 3B
Direct Weighing
1. Explain the procedure to the child’s mother or
caretaker.
2. Place the scale on a flat surface. Turn on the scale.
3. If there is more than 1 eligible child in a household,
always weigh the ‘less fussy’ one first.
4. Take off the child’s clothes.
5. Ask mother to face the scale and to bend down so they
will be eye level with their child.
6. Ask the child to step on the scale and to look straight
ahead at heir mother.
7. After the weight appears (stops flashing) record
weight.
Module 3B
Indirect (Double) Weighing
1. Explain the procedure to the child’s mother or
caretaker.
2. Place the scale on a flat surface. Turn on the scale.
3. If there is more than 1 eligible child in a household,
always weigh the ‘less fussy’ one first.
4. Take off the child’s clothes.
5. Ask the caretaker (mother) or the assistant to stand on
the scale.
6. After their weight appears, the caretaker stays on
the scale.
Module 3B
Indirect (Double) Weighing
7. The measurer presses the hold/tare button (to “zero”
the scale). Wait until the 0.0 appears.
8. Hand the child to the caretaker. The child must be held
facing the caretaker, and should keep still. Note: The
person whose weight was used to zero the scale must
hold the child to be weighed.
9. The weight displayed will be the child’s weight.
10. Measurer reads the weight out loud. Assistant repeats
the weight out loud to confirm, and writes the weight
on the data sheet.
Module 3B
Indirect (Double) Weighing
Module 3B
Electronic Scale: Roles
Measurer:
Takes the reading.
Assistant:
Kneels in front of child.
Ensures that the child’s feet are entirely on the scale and
that they are looking straight ahead (not down).
If double weighing, assistant ensures that the child is held
tight and facing the caregiver.
Team Leader:
Writes down the reading.
Module 3B
Common Mistakes
Teams do not follow the instructions on what clothes
children are allowed / not allowed to wear while being
weighed.
The scale does not read ‘0.00’ (the scale is not flat) before a
child steps on the scale. This can also occur during double
weighing when a mother steps on a scale and the scale has
not been set back to ‘0.00’ before she is handed a child.
The child does not stay still while they are being weighed.
The mother steps off the scale after being measured
before they are handed the child.
Module 3B
Say the measurement out loud
Measurer: READ
Assistant: LISTEN
Team Leader: REPEAT and WRITE
Module 3B
Salter Scale
Module 3B
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
Calibrate a salter scale.
Measure a child’s weight using a salter scale.
Module 3B
Clothes
Ideally all children will be weighed in their
underwear (no shirt).
Very important that all teams consistently
weigh children the same way.
Module 3B
Discussion
1. For our survey what are the rare occasions
that a child could NOT be weighed without
clothes (underwear permitted)?
2. For the rare occasions that a child cannot be
weighed without clothes, let us agree on the
type of clothes that will be allowed to be
worn while a child is being weighed.
Module 3B
Holding Stick
Module 3B
Technique For Holding Stick
Assistants
1. Two people of similar height (if possible) hold the stick at
shoulder height. One person will use their right shoulder
and the other person will use their left.
2. One person slides on the salter scale.
3. Always hold the stick with two hands while a child is
being weighed.
4. Keep hand as close to the body as possible to prevent
shaking.
5. After the weight has been taken, the same holder will
slide off the salter scale and the stick is then lowered.
Module 3B
Calibration of Salter Scale
Salter Scale – BEFORE EVERY CHILD
Calibrate scale with a standard _ kg weight.
Step 1: Two team members hold stick at shoulder height and
attach salter scale.
Step 2: Measurer makes sure needle is at 0kg.
Step 3: Measurer attaches weight pants to salter scale and
calibrates scale to 0 kg.
Step 4: Measurer adds _kg weight to weight pants and
verifies that the scale reads _kg.
Module 3B
Measuring Weight: Salter Scale
Module 3B
Technique To Dress Child In Weight
Pants
Measurer
If a child is capable of putting the pants on themselves
ask them to do so:
1. For small children have the caretaker place the child
on their lap.
2. Measurer kneel down and put hands through leg
holes.
3. Grasp the child’s feet and move the child towards
your body.
Module 3B
Technique For Securing Child And Recording
Weight
Measurer
1. Place one hand on child’s (wearing weight pants) bottom and the
other hand on their back so that the child’s head is resting on
measurers shoulder.
2. Bring the child to the hanging salter scale and attach the weighing
pants to the hook with the hand that was placed on the child’s
back. NEVER USE THE BOTTOM HAND AS THE CHILD COULD
SLIP.
3. After secured to the hook, slowly let go of the child and make sure
that they are not touching anything and that their arms are
hanging from the back of the weights shorts.
4. After needle has stabilized record the weight and take the reading
at eye level.
5. Take the child off the hook by placing one hand under their
bottom and the other hand is used to unhook the weight pants.
Module 3B
Measuring Weight: Tips
Try to involve the mother and have her close
to the child at all times.
Get the mother to put the pants onto the
child.
Be gentle, respectful, speak softly and do not
shout or order the mother around.
It is a good idea to make sure that the team is
wearing clothes with which the child is
familiar.
Module 3B
Common mistakes
Forget to calibrate the weight of the weight
pants before adding the 2kg standard weight.
Assistants hold stick with one arm.
Measurer uses bottom hand to hook child on
salter scale.
Measurer does not take measurement from eye
level.
Module 3B
Say the measurement out loud
Measurer: READ
Assistant: LISTEN
Team Leader: REPEAT and WRITE
Module 3B
Exercise
Find the errors in the following photos
Module 3B
Module 3B
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Module 3B