If anthropometric data is to be collected from elderly persons regardless of their mobility status, new methodologies are needed, but these methods must be accurate, replicable and provide relevant information in regard to body stores of muscle and fat. Inter-observer replicability for recumbent measurements collected from ambulatory and non-ambulatory elderly adults are slightly larger than corresponding values for standard measurements collected from ambulatory elderly persons, but less so for standard measurements collected from non-ambulatory elderly persons. Accurate recumbent nutritional anthropometric data can be collected from ambulatory and non-ambulatory elderly persons.