Hip Circumference
Protocol Id
020801
Description of
Protocol
Measurement of the hip girth at the level of the maximum protrusion of the
gluteus muscles.
Specific
Instructions
The following protocol was taken from the Coronary Artery Risk Development
in Young Adults (CARDIA) study that was conducted on adults aged 18 to 30
years. The PhenX Anthropometrics Working Group has recommended that this
same protocol be used on participants aged 2 years and older.
Protocol Text
There are several overarching, critical issues for high-quality data collection
of anthropometric measures that optimize the data in gene-environment
etiologic research. These issues include: 1) the need for training (and retraining) of study staff in anthropometric data collection; 2) duplicate
collection of measurements, especially under field conditions; 3) use of more
than one person for proper collection of measurements where required; 4)
accurate recording of the protocols and the measurement units of data
collection; and 5) use of required and properly calibrated equipment.
Under usual field conditions, for reliability, the PhenX Anthropometrics
Working Group suggests that the measurements are taken in duplicate. A
third measurement should be taken if the first two measurements differed
by >1.0 cm (1/4") for participants 12 years or older or > 0.5 cm (1/8") for
participants 11 years and younger. If it is necessary to take a third
measurement, the two closest measurements are averaged. Should the third
measurement fall equally between the first two measurements, all three
should be averaged.
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This protocol is part of an examination study.
Participant should be wearing an examination gown when these measures are
taken.
The hip girth measurement should be made on the participant’s right side
(rather than in front) with the patient’s feet together.
Hip girth is measured at the level of the symphysis pubis anteriorly and
posteriorly at the level of the maximal protrusion of the gluteal muscles
(Exhibit 1). This level usually is the greatest circumference of the hips (but
not always). Keep the anthropometric tape horizontal at this level and record
the measurement to the nearest 0.5 cm.
Exhibit 1. Location of Hip Girth Measurement (from CARDIA)
Rounding rule: If measuring to the nearest half centimeter, round according
to the following example: 86.1 and 86.2 would round to 86.0; 86.3, 86.4,
86.6, and 86.7 would round to 86.5; 86.8 and 86.9 would round to 87.0.
Measures of 87.0 and 87.5 should be recorded as such.
The greatest source of error for this measurement is due to not having the
tape horizontal. If the participant is large, it is permissible to have him/her
hold one end of the tape while walking the tape around for this
measurement.
NOTE: For large participants, two technicians will be required to perform the
measurement. Take care not to offend the person being measured; be as
discreet as possible when changing to the larger tape measure.
Selection
Rationale
The measurement protocol has been used by the CARDIA study. It is a
relatively large dataset approximately equally split between men and
women, African Americans and whites, across a broad range of ages starting
at 18 years.
Source
Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. (19951996). Year 10 Manual of Operations - Anthropometric Manual.
Language
English
Participant
2 years of age and older
Personnel and
Training
Required
Technicians should be trained in the basic techniques of anthropometric
measurements.
Equipment Needs Flexible measurement tape that exceeds 72 inches or 200 cm.
Standards
Standard
Name
ID
Common Data Elements (CDE)
Person Hip
Circumference Value
2793486 CDE Browser
Logical Observation Identifiers
Names and Codes (LOINC)
PhenX - hip
circumference protocol
62409-8 LOINC
General
References
None
Protocol Type
Physical Measurement
Source
Derived Variables Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR).
Requirements
Requirement Category
Required
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual
No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected
individual
Major equipment
No
This measure requires a specialized measurement device that
may not be readily available in every setting where genome wide
association studies are being conducted. Examples of specialized
equipment are DEXA, Echocardiography, and Spirometry
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection
No
This protocol requires that blood, urine, etc. be collected from
the study participants.
Specialized training
This measure requires staff training in the protocol methodology
and/or in the conduct of the data analysis.
No