Dataset for Investigating the Accuracy of Caregiver-Child Weighing Method for Weigh Estimation in Paediatric Clinic

Caregiver-Child weighing method of estimating children weight in paediatric is a globally recognized means of estimating children weight when direct weighing is impracticable. The method involve weighing the caregiver alone following weighing the caregiver while carrying a child and then subtracting the weight of the caregiver from the combined weight to estimate the weight of the child (Adekoje et al., 2016; WHO, 2012; Wilunda et al., 2024; Yayeh & Makua, 2025). However, recent studies on impact of external load on center of pressure have revealed that affect center of pressure thereby affecting weight registered on the scale (Caderby et al., 2017; Mohammed et al., 2025; Wells & Goldstein, 2020). Equally, Mafuyai et al. ( 2013b, 2013c, 2013a, 2018) opined that a person’s measured weight is not always fixed but varies with the person’s change in the lumbar spine posture relative to an upright position, this postural theory suggests that the external load (the child) affects the lumbar spine posture of the adult leading to shift in the center of gravity. Our hypothesis was therefore, caregiver-child weighing method introduces systematic error in estimated weight. We collected data from 317 adult-child pairs. Healthy children age 2-6 years were recruited with consent of their parents or guidance. Any child that was considered malnourished and too weak to stand on a scale by him/herself was excluded. Body weight was measured using a mechanical physician weighing scale (RGT.A-200-RT type) with an analogue dial and integrated height-measuring rod. The scale had a maximum weighing capacity of 200 kg with a readability of 0.1 kg (100 g), while the stadiometer measured height from 75 to 200 cm with 5 mm graduations. The scale was zero-adjusted before each measurement, and all weights were recorded in kilograms. The setup was positioned on the flat floor for all data collection followed WHO’s protocol on weight measurement (WHO, 2012).