See the following questions / responses on this forum : [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/169.aspx[/url] [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/215.aspx[/url] [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/261.aspx[/url] [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/348.aspx[/url] [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/468.aspx[/url] [url]http://www.en-net.org.uk/question/698.aspx[/url] All you need is a MUAC strap for monitoring. In surveys just collect MUAC and then calculate the proportion of women with MUAC below your chosen threshold (e.g. 210 mm or 230 mm). I hope this is of some use.

Great thank you Mark, was very interesting reading through those posts. So to clarify, no software is avalible/designed especially to monitor anthropology in regards to nutritional status during pregnancy? Another point I would appreciate an oppinion on. What monitoring software is recomended to use for children? 'WHO Anthro' or ENA for SMART'? Or any other recommendations? In regards to ease of use, most widely accepted, accurate etc. Our study is in Bangladesh and will involve collectin data of 400 children at birth, 7 days, 30 days, 3, 6 9, 12 and 24 months. Will collect weigth height and MUAC.

I would not say that there is "no software" but that there is no specialist software (as far as I know) for this task. I am not sure that any is needed. WRT anthropometry in children ... No real need for MUAC. ENA does a good job for surveys needing to work with W/H, H/A, W/A, and/or MUAC. WHO Anthro and the scripts / macros for SPSS, S-PLUS, SAS, STATA, &c. are useful if you are already familiar with these packages or need to work with survey sample designs more complex than a two-stage cluster sample with PPS. WRT your study ... you will have age accurately so no problems working with W/A and H/A too.