Fryar et al. (NHANES 2021-2023)
About this reference
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a nationally representative survey of the US population, combining interview, examination, and laboratory components. This NCHS report (Vital and Health Statistics Series 3, Number 50) publishes weighted percentile reference tables for adult body measurements collected in NHANES from August 2021 to August 2023. Adult tables use 10-year age groups plus an 80-and-older bracket and report selected percentiles (5th, 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, 95th) separately by sex.
Known limitations
- US population only. US adults run higher on most body-composition measures than most European or East Asian populations, so MUAC percentiles likely also run higher than non-US norms.
- Sample sizes are unweighted; estimates are weighted using NHANES MEC examination weights.
- Cross-sectional design: values reflect population averages at the time of survey, not individual trajectories.
- Adult age is top-coded into the 80-and-older bracket; finer detail above age 80 is not available.