Upper Arm Circumference or what is familiarly known as LILA, is an indicator for detecting stunting conditions that can be seen from toddlers or pregnant women. Currently, the agenda for reducing the prevalence of stunting is being intensively promoted by 2024. As a national health priority, contributions from many parties are needed, including the general public.
By understanding and educating yourself regarding stunting, you have contributed to efforts to accelerate the reduction in the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia. In this article we will review one of the nutritional indicators seen from anthropometry, namely the Upper Arm Circumference (LILA), especially in pregnant women.
The LILA measurement can be carried out on children and also pregnant women. LILA measurements in pregnant women themselves are needed to monitor the nutritional adequacy of the mother and baby who are still in the womb. The reason is, if the mother’s nutrition is not fulfilled, the baby can potentially be stunted.
We all certainly don’t want this to happen, hence, we should understand well how to measure the Upper Arm Circumference (LILA) for pregnant women.
Measurement of Upper Arm Circumference (LILA) for Pregnant Women
As explained by Supriasa (2012), that the Upper Arm Circumference is an anthropometric dimension that is measured in order to know and estimate the risk of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in women of childbearing age including teenagers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and also Couples of Reproductive Age (PUS). While the benchmark for women experiencing a risk of CED is at the upper arm circumference threshold of 23.5 cm, if the size is below that value, they have the potential to experience CED.
How to Measure Upper Arm and Head Circumference (LILA) in Pregnant Women
We already know the threshold value for a pregnant woman who has high risk to experience CED, then how to measure it? Check out the following steps!
- First, make sure the subject to be measured is in an upright position to create perfect body posture.
- Then, measure the arm that is not actively used, you can first ask the subject which arm is actively used. If the right hand is actively used, the left hand is measured, and vice versa.
- When the side of the arm to be measured has been determined, ask the subject to open the cloth covering the arm.
- Next, to determine the center point, the subject needs to bend the arm to form a 90 degree angle, with the palm facing upwards.
- Then find the midpoint between the upper bones of the subject’s shoulder and elbow, mark the point with a marker or ballpoint pen.
- Then the subject’s palms are directed to face down with the arms hanging loose and the elbows straight at the sides of the body.
- You can start the measurement by placing the LILA tape at a predetermined midpoint or midpoint. Make sure the tape is against the skin, not pressing too hard or leaving any empty space.
- Finally, record the results of the pregnant woman’s arm measurements printed on the body measuring tape.
Best Upper Arm and Head Circumference Tape Measure Tool (LILA)
Metrisis – Body Measuring Tape or LILA Tape is a measuring tool for Upper Arm and Head Circumference (LILA) produced by PT Solo Abadi Indonesia for toddlers and pregnant women with a design that has been adapted to the shape of a measuring finger, so it does not come off easily when measurements are taken. Accompanied by a stop button that allows the tape to attach to the skin perfectly. The maximum scale of this tape reaches 150 cm so that it can be used to measure babies as well as mothers.
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