Measurement of Calf Circumference for Estimate the Adult Body Weight in the Emergency Department

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There is no reliable body index to use in estimating adult body weight. The purpose of the study was to develop a body index that can estimate adult body weight and to perform a regression equation of body weight versus the body index METHODS: We performed a prospective study. We measured body weight and various body indexes, including arm, wrist, calf, and ankle circumference, in the patients who visited our emergency department. A correlation analysis was performed between these body indexes and body weight, and a simple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the most correlative body index and body weight. RESULTS: Two hundred five patients were enrolled. The correlation coefficient between body weight and calf, arm, wrist, and ankle circumference were, respectively, 0.919, 0.792, 0.546, and 0.432 for males and 0.913, 0.781, 0.476, and 0.430 for females. The body index with the greatest correlation to body weight was calf circumference. The regression equations were male body weight = 2.510 x calf circumference - 25.673, and female body weight = 2.375 x calf circumference - 22.560. CONCLUSION: The most reliable body index for estimating adult body weight is calf circumference.