Nutritional status: measure the arm

This measurement shows whether a person is eating enough, or whether an illness is making them lose weight. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is the distance around the left upper arm, measured with a tape halfway between the shoulder and the elbow. It is used mostly for young children aged 6 to 59 months, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Weight changes during pregnancy, but the arm stays stable. In adults, it helps when the person cannot be weighed, for example someone who is bedridden.

Who are you measuring?

Mid-upper arm circumference (mm or cm)

How to measure: let the left arm hang relaxed beside the body. Find the middle point between the tip of the shoulder and the elbow (with the elbow bent). Wrap the tape around the arm at that point, without pulling it tight or creasing the skin. Read the value. For a child, the three-colour tape (red, yellow, green) gives the answer directly.

Guide d'utilisation