1.Comparison of weighing scales for children ages 0 to 59 months in two municipalities in Laguna, Philippines
Maria Theresa M. Maria Theresa M. Talavera ; Divine Grace C. Domingo ; Nancy A. Tandang ; Leila S. Africa ; Angelina R. Bustos ; Daniel G. Salunga ; Ellen Ruth F. Abella
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2026;32(No. 1):19-39
Introduction: Accurate weight measurement is critical for assessing growth and
nutritional status in children, yet errors due to equipment can affect reliability.
This study evaluated reliability of weight measurements obtained by community
health workers using four weighing tools: SECA model 878, NutriScale Digital,
Tanita model HD-662, and mechanical hanging infant weighing scale. Methods: A
cross-sectional study was conducted in two municipalities in Laguna, Philippines,
where three pairs of end-users measured weight of 80 children aged 0-59 months
in house-to-house and stationary setups across rural and urban areas. Inter- and
intra-measurer reliability were assessed using correlation coefficients (CC), technical
error of measurement (TEM), and coefficient of variation (CV). Benchmark values
included TEM <0.1 kg and acceptable %TEM thresholds (≤1.5% intra-measurer;
≤2% inter-measurer). Results: All four tools demonstrated acceptable reliability.
NutriScale and Tanita consistently recorded the lowest TEM and %TEM values
across settings, followed by SECA, which also met acceptable standards. Variability
in measurements, however, was observed between house-to-house and stationary
setups, particularly in rural areas. Differences in tool performance appeared
influenced not only by the device characteristics but also by contextual factors such
as measurer consistency, child’s age, and environmental conditions. Conclusion:
Although NutriScale and Tanita showed higher consistency, measurement accuracy
cannot be attributed to the scale alone. Field variability, proper calibration, and
adequate measurer training remain critical for reliable assessments. Future research
with larger samples and age stratification is recommended to better evaluate scale
performance and inform tool selection for community-based programmes such as
Operation Timbang (OPT).


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