Model 874

Researchers collected anthropometric measurements from children at baseline and every 6 months thereafter for the next 4 years. Maternal anthropometric measurements were collected at baseline. Measures presented here include height, weight, and waist circumference. Research staff measured and weighed children and mothers in accordance with the Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual [25 ]. Before each measurement period, data collectors received a 3-h training and were standardized using the technical error of measurement [26 (link)]. Maternal and child measurements were collected via the same procedures.
A digital scale (Model 874, Seca GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany) was used to weigh participants to the nearest 0.1 kg. A portable stadiometer (Seca Model 213) was used to measure height to the nearest 0.1 cm. Abdominal circumference was measured with a body circumference measuring tape (QM2000 QuickMedical Corporate, Issaquah, WA, USA).
Bilingual research staff collected additional data on household size and income, child age and gender, and maternal age, education, ethnicity, and country of origin. Acculturation was measured using the Brief Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans [27 (link)]. Parents or legal guardians of eligible children were verbally administered survey instruments. The majority of respondents were mothers.

In EpiRbMx data on anthropometrics was not collected. For ENSANUT 2018–2019, body weight and height were measured by trained personnel according to Lohman and Habicht [26 (link),36 ]. The height was measured with a stadiometer (Seca model-206, Hamburg, Germany) with a capacity of 220 cm and a precision of 1 mm. Body weight in an electronic balance (Seca model-874, Hamburg, Germany) with capacity of 200 kg and precision of 100 g. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Because of the small sample size, the category < 18.5 was combined with low and normal BMI into a single category = 18.5–24.9, and overweight = 25–29.9 and obesity ≥ 30 [24 (link),36 ,37 ].

Data were collected using computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) software on portable computers. Surveys were programmed in Spanish and questions translated to the local language (Q'eqchi’) during each interview. Enumerators were extensively trained on interview skills, the content of the survey, and the use of the CAPI questionnaire using lectures, role-play, and discussions. Anthropometrists were trained and standardized (19 ). Height at study enrollment was measured twice and a third time if the difference between the first 2 measurements exceeded 10 mm. The 2 closest measurements were averaged and used in the analyses. Body weight was measured using a digital scale (SECA, model 874) and adjusted by subtracting the estimated weight of the clothes from the measured body weight. The weight of the clothes was estimated by taking the weight of a skirt and top provided by the woman and comparable in weight to the one that was currently being worn. Refresher trainings and standardization exercises were conducted periodically throughout the study.

When the children were 9 months of age, their length was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm (Seca Model 417, Hamburg, Germany), and their weight was assessed with 50 g precision (Seca Model 383). The mothers’ height (Seca Model 217) and weight (Seca Model 874) were assessed during the same visit. Measurements were carried out in duplicate by one of four trained and standardized anthropometrists and their assistants. A third measurement was carried out in case of a disagreement between the two first measurements of >0.5 cm for length/height and >0.1 kg for weight. The average of the two closest values was used in the statistical analysis.